Indian Railways freight loading reached 135.35 million tonnes in September 2026, marking a 6.14 per cent increase from 127.52 million tonnes recorded in September 2025, according to official data released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in Delhi on Tuesday. The national carrier sustained operational momentum across both its freight and passenger businesses during the month.
Food Grains and Industrial Commodities Drive Volumes
The September freight expansion was supported by broad-based volume gains across multiple core goods categories. Food grain dispatches experienced the sharpest rise, jumping 25 per cent compared to the same month last year.
Clinker movements grew by 20 per cent, while domestic container transport expanded by 10 per cent. Shipments of coal increased by 9 per cent, followed by balance other goods at 8.2 per cent, mineral oil at 6 per cent, finished steel at 5.5 per cent, and iron ore at 5.2 per cent.
Coal Supply to Power Plants and Revenue Advance
Indian Railways also ramped up the dispatch of domestic coal to power houses throughout September 2026. The network delivered an average of 443 coal rakes per day, up from 397 rakes daily in September 2025, representing an 11.6 per cent increase in daily dispatches.
The higher traffic volumes delivered a notable boost to rail earnings. Freight revenue for September 2026 rose by ₹1,266 crore over September 2025, achieving a 9.3 per cent year-on-year growth.
Cumulative Freight Surpasses 833 Million Tonnes in H1
Over the first half of the financial year covering April to September 2026, cumulative freight loading reached 833.7 million tonnes. This reflects a 4.1 per cent growth over the corresponding six-month period of the prior financial year, pointing to steady industrial transport demand.
In line with tonnage gains, cumulative freight revenue during April–September 2026 recorded an increase of 3.7 per cent over the same period last year.
Q1. How much freight did Indian Railways load in September 2026?
Indian Railways loaded 135.35 million tonnes of freight in September 2026, a 6.14 per cent increase from the 127.52 million tonnes handled in September 2025.
Q2. Which commodity segments recorded the highest growth in September 2026?
Food grain shipments led with a 25 per cent increase, followed by clinker at 20 per cent, domestic containers at 10 per cent, and coal at 9 per cent.
Q3. How many coal rakes were supplied to power houses in September 2026?
Indian Railways supplied an average of 443 coal rakes per day to power houses, up 11.6 per cent from 397 rakes per day in September 2025.
Q4. What was the growth in freight revenue in September 2026?
Freight revenue rose by ₹1,266 crore over September 2025, registering a 9.3 per cent growth.
Q5. What was the cumulative freight volume for April to September 2026?
Indian Railways loaded 833.7 million tonnes of freight between April and September 2026, an increase of 4.1 per cent over the corresponding period last year.
