Railways reports 1.67 billion tonne freight loading in FY26

The Indian Railways reported 3.25% higher annual freight loading at 1670 million tonnes (mt) for fiscal 2025-26. An official statement said this is a new record driven by 13% more transport of fertiliser, pig iron and finished steel. Iron Ore loading grew by 6.73% while cement rose 3.41%. The national transporter fell marginally behind its 1,700 mt freight loading goal for FY26. Overall freight loading by the railways is expected at 1,765 million tonnes (mt) in FY27.

Railways registered 1 billion tonnes cumulative loading for the fiscal on November 19, 2025.



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It carried 1,503.80 mt freight till February-end, compared with 1,456.07 million tonnes during the same period of the previous fiscal. Freight revenue during this period reached Rs 1.61 lakh crore, up from Rs 1.59 lakh crore in the corresponding period a year ago.

For the first time, coal loading for power plants is expected to fall from a budgeted estimate of 625.26 mt in FY26 to 612.32 mt in FY27. Freight earnings are projected at Rs 1.89 lakh crore in fiscal 2026-27, 5.8% up from Rs 1.78 lakh crore budgeted for the year ending March 31, 2026.