Indian Railways recorded a 5.4 per cent year-on-year increase in freight loading during August 2026, handling 137.9 million tonnes compared with 130.9 million tonnes in the corresponding month last year. The increase reflects continued demand for rail transportation across key industrial and economic sectors.
Freight revenue also registered growth during the month, rising 6.27 per cent compared with August 2025. The performance indicates continued strengthening of the freight business as the Railways expands its cargo infrastructure and works to improve logistics efficiency.
The increase in freight movement was supported by higher loading across several major commodity categories. Iron ore loading increased by 12.1 per cent, while clinker recorded a 10.4 per cent rise. Domestic container loading grew 9.2 per cent during the month.
Coal loading also increased by 6 per cent, while finished steel movement rose 4.9 per cent. Mineral oil loading recorded a 3.1 per cent increase and fertiliser loading grew 1.6 per cent. The category covering other goods registered an 8.2 per cent increase.
The growth across these commodity segments highlights the continued role of railways in transporting industrial raw materials, energy resources, agricultural inputs, finished products and other essential goods. Higher movement of these commodities also supports supply chains connecting production centres with markets across the country.
Railways also continued to expand its freight-handling infrastructure during August. Five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) were commissioned during the month, taking the cumulative number of commissioned GCTs to 149 as of August 31, 2026.
The new terminals are aimed at strengthening last-mile connectivity for freight movement and improving the interface between railway transportation and industrial supply chains. The expansion of cargo terminals is part of the Railways’ broader efforts to provide more efficient first- and last-mile logistics solutions.
Passenger transportation also recorded growth during the month. Indian Railways carried 67.27 crore passengers in August 2026, compared with 64.43 crore passengers in August 2025. Suburban passenger traffic recorded particularly strong growth of 9.02 per cent, with 38.01 crore suburban passengers travelling during the month compared with 34.89 crore a year earlier.
The Railways also regularised 14 Amrit Bharat services during August, expanding regular connectivity across several important routes. The services had earlier been operated as special trains and were subsequently converted into regular services to meet sustained passenger demand.
The simultaneous growth in freight loading, cargo-terminal infrastructure and passenger traffic reflects Indian Railways’ continued focus on strengthening both mobility and logistics capacity. The expansion of freight infrastructure, together with rising movement of key commodities, is expected to further support rail-based transportation and supply-chain efficiency across the country.
