India has reached an important milestone in its freight movement story.
According to Republic World, citing official Ministry of Railways data, Indian Railways crossed 1,020 million tonnes of freight loading for FY 2025–26 as of 19 November 2025.
Source: Republic World, Business Section, November 2025
This marks one of the strongest freight performances in recent years.
What is Moving Across the Network
Rail freight continues to be dominated by essential and industrial commodities. Based on Indian Railways zonal performance shared through public reports:
- Coal accounts for nearly 45 percent of total freight moved.
- Cement, steel and raw materials show consistent growth which reflects active construction and manufacturing cycles.
- Food grains and fertilisers move in alignment with agricultural demand.
- Petroleum products support energy and mobility sectors.
- Container cargo shows steady movement along key EXIM corridors.
Why This Milestone Matters
- Strong industrial utilisation: Growth in steel, cement and minerals indicates that infrastructure and heavy industry continue to operate at a healthy pace.
- Better long distance movement: Exporters and large manufacturers rely more on rail for long hauls because it provides predictable timings and fewer disruptions.
- Smoother port operations: A higher share of rail movement creates a more organised inflow of cargo at major ports which reduces congestion and improves vessel planning.
- Stronger multimodal routing: Companies combine rail with road and coastal routes to manage long domestic distances more efficiently. The increased rail loading supports this shift.
Where the Growth Is Concentrated
Zonal data referenced by Republic World and railway summaries show that two zones contribute a large share of freight:
- South East Central Railway (SECR)
- East Coast Railway (ECoR)
Both zones together contribute more than 40 percent of total freight due to large volumes of coal, minerals and industrial products originating from these regions.
Impact on the Wider Supply Chain
- More reliable long distance movement
- Strong support for high volume sectors
- Better planning for exporters
- Greater utilisation of ICDs and dry ports
- Continued momentum in domestic and international trade
Final Note
Crossing the one billion tonne mark early in the financial year reflects steady economic activity across key industries. It also shows that India’s freight movement system is handling large volumes with consistency and stability backed by real and verified numbers.
