Indian Railways recorded a 6.14 per cent year-on-year increase in freight loading in September, transporting 135.5 mn t of goods during the month. Freight revenue rose 9.3 per cent from a year earlier, increasing by Rs. 12.66 bn.

Coal loading grew 9 per cent in September, with the railway ministry reporting higher domestic supplies to power plants. The average number of coal rakes supplied each day rose to 443 from 397 in September 2025, representing growth of 11.6 per cent.

Several other commodity segments also reported growth. Food grain loading increased 25 per cent, clinker 20 per cent, domestic containers 10 per cent, other goods 8.2 per cent, mineral oil 6 per cent, finished steel 5.5 per cent and iron ore 5.2 per cent.

Indian Railways aims to increase annual freight volumes to 3 bn t by 2031 and expects to close the current financial year at about 1.75 bn t. During the first two quarters of FY27, it loaded 833.7 mn t, up 4.1 per cent year-on-year, while freight revenue increased 3.7 per cent.

Lalit Chandra Trivedi, former general manager of East Central Railway, said the September performance was encouraging but should be assessed alongside the April-September results. He identified assured wagon availability, predictable transit times, faster terminal handling and stronger first- and last-mile connectivity as priorities for sustaining freight growth.

The railways has introduced reforms in cement, petroleum products and container freight to attract more business. These include changes to freight-rate calculations, moving from slab-based rates to a system based on the amount charged per tonne per kilometre.