Indian Railways has reported a notable improvement in its operational performance for September, with freight loading figures recording a year-on-year growth of 6.14%. According to data released by the Ministry of Railways on Tuesday, the national transporter moved 135.35 million tonnes of cargo during the month, a significant increase from the 127.52 million tonnes recorded in the same period last year. This uptick in volume was accompanied by a robust revenue growth of 9.3%, amounting to an additional ₹1,266 crore compared to the year-ago figures.
The growth observed in September contributes to a positive trend for the first half of the current financial year. Cumulative freight loading from April to September rose by 4.1% year-on-year, reaching a total of 833.7 million tonnes. While the monthly revenue saw a sharp climb, the ministry noted that freight revenue for the first six months of the financial year grew by 3.7% overall, reflecting steady demand across industrial and agricultural sectors.
A breakdown of the performance highlights the critical role played by various commodity segments in driving these volumes. Food grain movement stood out with a 25% increase, followed closely by a 20% rise in clinker loading. Other sectors also performed strongly, with domestic containers showing 10% growth and coal movement increasing by 9%. Further contributions came from the transport of 'other goods' at 8.2%, mineral oil at 6%, finished steel at 5.5%, and iron ore at 5.2%.
The ministry specifically highlighted the increased supply of coal to power plants, which remains a cornerstone of the railway's freight operations. The average number of coal rakes supplied daily rose by 11.6% in September, moving from 397 rakes per day in the previous year to 443 per day during the month. This enhanced efficiency in fuel logistics is part of a broader push to stabilize energy supplies across the country while simultaneously boosting the transporter's own financial health.
These figures are part of an ambitious long-term objective for the national rail network. Currently, Indian Railways is focused on expanding its presence in the domestic logistics market, where its share has reportedly fallen below 30%. The ministry aims to increase this share to more than 45% in the coming years through improved last-mile connectivity and increased capacity for industrial cargo. Officials attribute the recent success to sustained demand from vital sectors including steel, fertilizers, and coal.
Looking ahead, the Railways has set clear financial and operational benchmarks. For the current financial year, the organization targets a total freight loading of 1,765 million tonnes. This is an increase from the estimated range of 1,670 to 1,700 million tonnes recorded in the 2026 fiscal year. Successful execution of these targets is expected to lift total freight revenue to approximately ₹1.88 trillion, building upon the ₹1.78 trillion generated in the previous fiscal cycle.
To support these goals, the administration is actively pursuing new investment models, including public-private partnerships, to unlock a substantial pipeline of projects. By prioritizing infrastructure development and project completion, the Railways intends to maximize its throughput capacity. As it enters the second half of the financial year, the data suggests that a focus on high-demand commodities and operational efficiency remains the primary strategy for achieving these revenue and tonnage milestones.
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