Indian Railways Records 9% Growth in Freight Loading in July, Handles 141.3 Million Tonnes of Cargo

Indian Railways continued its strong freight momentum in July 2026, registering a 9% year-on-year increase in cargo loading as the national transporter moved 141.3 million tonnes of freight during the month. The growth reflects sustained demand from key sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and power generation, further reinforcing the rail network’s role in India’s logistics ecosystem.

According to official data, freight loading increased from 129.7 million tonnes in July 2025 to 141.3 million tonnes this year. The improvement was supported by higher movement across several major commodity categories, with iron ore recording the highest growth among bulk cargo segments.

Iron ore loading increased by 22.2%, reflecting continued demand from the steel sector and export markets. Coal loading also registered an 11.5% increase as Indian Railways stepped up supplies to thermal power plants to meet rising electricity demand across the country. Domestic coal movement to power plants alone increased by 20% compared to the corresponding month last year.

Freight movement of fertilisers rose by 12%, supporting agricultural activities during the ongoing cropping season, while food grain loading also increased by 11.5%. Other commodities collectively registered a 12.1% growth, indicating broad-based improvement across multiple industrial sectors.

The increase in freight movement also translated into stronger financial performance. Indian Railways generated an additional ₹1,137 crore in freight revenue during July 2026, representing an 8% growth over the same period last year. Among railway zones, East Central Railway and Eastern Railway recorded the highest revenue growth, followed by West Central Railway and South Eastern Railway.

Passenger traffic also remained on an upward trajectory during the month. Indian Railways carried 63.35 crore passengers in July 2026 compared to 62.19 crore passengers during July 2025, reflecting growing dependence on rail transport for both suburban and long-distance travel.

The consistent increase in freight loading highlights Indian Railways’ expanding role in supporting industrial production, agricultural supply chains and India’s energy security. Continued investments in capacity augmentation, operational efficiency and modern logistics infrastructure are expected to further strengthen the railway network’s contribution to economic growth while improving the movement of goods across the country.