New Delhi: Indian Railways recorded a 6.14% year-on-year increase in freight loading in September 2026, with total goods transported rising to 135.35 million tonnes from 127.52 million tonnes in the same month last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Railways.
The growth was supported by higher loading across several commodity categories, including food grains, clinker, domestic containers, coal, mineral oil, finished steel and iron ore. Freight revenue also increased during the month, while coal supplies to power houses strengthened.
The latest figures indicate continued growth in rail freight movement during the first half of the 2026–27 financial year.
Food Grain Loading Leads Commodity-Wise Growth
Food grain loading recorded the highest growth among the major commodity categories highlighted in the release, increasing by 25% in September 2026 compared with September 2025.
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Other commodity segments also registered year-on-year increases.
Commodity-wise freight loading growth in September 2026:
- Food grains: 25%
- Clinker: 20%
- Domestic containers: 10%
- Coal: 9%
- Balance other goods: 8.2%
- Mineral oil: 6%
- Finished steel: 5.5%
- Iron ore: 5.2%
The increases across these categories contributed to the overall rise in freight loading during the month.
Coal Rake Supply to Power Houses Rises 11.6%
Indian Railways increased the daily supply of coal rakes to power houses in September 2026 to support domestic coal transportation.
The average number of coal rakes supplied per day rose to 443, compared with 397 in September 2025, marking an increase of 11.6%.
Key figures:
- September 2026: 443 coal rakes supplied per day on average.
- September 2025: 397 coal rakes supplied per day on average.
- Year-on-year growth: 11.6%.
The increase reflects higher rail-based coal movement to power houses during the month.
Freight Revenue Increases by ₹1,266 Crore
Freight revenue also recorded growth in September 2026. Indian Railways earned ₹1,266 crore more from freight operations than in September 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 9.3%.
The revenue increase accompanied the rise in freight loading, which reached 135.35 million tonnes during the month.
April–September Freight Loading Crosses 833 Million Tonnes
Cumulative freight loading during the first six months of the financial year also remained higher than the corresponding period a year earlier.
Indian Railways transported 833.7 million tonnes of freight between April and September 2026, registering 4.1% growth over the same period last year.
Freight revenue during the six-month period increased by 3.7%, according to the Ministry of Railways.
April–September 2026 performance at a glance:
- Total freight loading: 833.7 million tonnes.
- Year-on-year freight loading growth: 4.1%.
- Freight revenue growth: 3.7%.
The cumulative figures show that freight loading continued to expand during the first half of FY 2026–27, alongside an increase in revenue from goods transportation.
Rail Freight Growth Continues Across Key Sectors
The September performance combined growth in overall freight volumes, higher loading in several commodity segments and increased coal rake supplies to power houses.
With cumulative freight loading reaching 833.7 million tonnes during April–September, Indian Railways recorded a 4.1% increase over the corresponding period of the previous financial year. Freight revenue also remained higher, rising 3.7% over the six-month period.
