Raipur
The Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone in freight loading, surpassing the 1 billion tonne mark in the current financial year. The cumulative loading reached 1,020 million tonnes (MT) as of 19 November, strengthening the backbone of India’s economic structure.
The achievement is driven by robust performance across core sectors, with daily freight loading standing strong at approximately 4.4 million tonnes, an increase from 4.2 million tonnes recorded in the previous year. This reflects improved operational efficiency and sustained demand.
Sectoral Contribution and Growth
Coal remains the largest contributor at 505 MT.
This is followed by Iron Ore at 115 MT, Cement at 92 MT, and Container Traffic at 59 MT.
Other key commodities include Pig Iron and Finished Steel at 47 MT, Fertilisers at 42 MT, Mineral Oil at 32 MT, and Foodgrains at 30 MT.
The positive trend is further affirmed by the loading data between April and October 2025, which reached 935.1 MT, up from 906.9 MT during the corresponding period last year. This consistent momentum supports India’s industrial expansion and infrastructure development.
Focus on Cement and Green Logistics
Recognising the crucial role of cement in national infrastructure growth, the Railways has taken steps to enhance its logistics capabilities. Recent comprehensive reforms include a new policy for bulk cement terminals and rationalised rates for moving bulk cement in containers.
These strategic initiatives aim to modernise cement transport, increase bulk handling capacity, reduce transit time, and lower logistics costs. These interventions directly benefit entrepreneurs and end consumers, boosting efficiency across the supply chain.
Moving bulk cargo by rail offers significant benefits that go beyond commercial standards. It leads to a reduction in carbon emissions, eases congestion on highways, and provides industries, including MSMEs, with greener logistics solutions. This progress reinforces India’s commitment to sustainable development, aligning freight movement with the nation’s journey towards net-zero carbon emission goals. The Railways stands as a catalyst for economic and environmental progress.
