Railways Record Cargo And Passenger Growth In 2025–26
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Railways Record Cargo And Passenger Growth In 2025–26

Indian Railways recorded a landmark performance in 2025–26, transporting 1,670 million tonnes (mn t) of cargo and 741 crore passengers, equal to 7,410 million (mn) passengers. The ministry noted that both sectors registered growth of over three per cent and defined billion (bn) for fiscal reporting. Total revenue reached approximately Rs 800 billion (bn) in 2025–26, representing a 5.96 per cent increase over the previous year.

The cargo segment expanded by 3.25 per cent while passenger numbers rose by 3.54 per cent, indicating sustained demand for rail services. Revenue growth was driven by stronger passenger traffic and earnings, with total receipts rising from Rs 755 billion (bn) in 2024–25 to Rs 800 bn in 2025–26. The ministry said that these figures underscored the expanding role of rail transport in national mobility and finances.

Wagon handling increased by 4.56 per cent, with numbers rising from 27,912,271 in 2024–25 to 29,186,475 in 2025–26, reflecting improvements in operational throughput. Freight momentum was led by fertilisers, which grew 13.49 per cent, and pig iron and steel, which grew 13.11 per cent, signalling strong activity in core industrial sectors. Iron ore transport rose by 6.74 per cent to 190.12 million tonnes (190.12 mn t) and cement loading increased by 4.74 per cent to 157.17 mn t, supporting ongoing infrastructure and construction work.

Zone-wise results showed broad-based gains, with South Western Railway registering the highest increase at 14.89 per cent and North Central, East Coast and West Central railways posting double-digit growth of 12.62 per cent, 10.42 per cent and 10.06 per cent respectively. The ministry attributed the performance to capacity augmentation, operational efficiency and rising reliance on rail-based logistics by key sectors. Officials indicated that the trends positioned railways as a preferred mode for bulk commodity movement and a key partner in national infrastructure development.

Indian Railways recorded a landmark performance in 2025–26, transporting 1,670 million tonnes (mn t) of cargo and 741 crore passengers, equal to 7,410 million (mn) passengers. The ministry noted that both sectors registered growth of over three per cent and defined billion (bn) for fiscal reporting. Total revenue reached approximately Rs 800 billion (bn) in 2025–26, representing a 5.96 per cent increase over the previous year. The cargo segment expanded by 3.25 per cent while passenger numbers rose by 3.54 per cent, indicating sustained demand for rail services. Revenue growth was driven by stronger passenger traffic and earnings, with total receipts rising from Rs 755 billion (bn) in 2024–25 to Rs 800 bn in 2025–26. The ministry said that these figures underscored the expanding role of rail transport in national mobility and finances. Wagon handling increased by 4.56 per cent, with numbers rising from 27,912,271 in 2024–25 to 29,186,475 in 2025–26, reflecting improvements in operational throughput. Freight momentum was led by fertilisers, which grew 13.49 per cent, and pig iron and steel, which grew 13.11 per cent, signalling strong activity in core industrial sectors. Iron ore transport rose by 6.74 per cent to 190.12 million tonnes (190.12 mn t) and cement loading increased by 4.74 per cent to 157.17 mn t, supporting ongoing infrastructure and construction work. Zone-wise results showed broad-based gains, with South Western Railway registering the highest increase at 14.89 per cent and North Central, East Coast and West Central railways posting double-digit growth of 12.62 per cent, 10.42 per cent and 10.06 per cent respectively. The ministry attributed the performance to capacity augmentation, operational efficiency and rising reliance on rail-based logistics by key sectors. Officials indicated that the trends positioned railways as a preferred mode for bulk commodity movement and a key partner in national infrastructure development.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Asian Energy Services Q1 FY27 PAT Rises 129 Per Cent

Asian Energy Services Limited reported a 129 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 128 million for Q1 FY27, compared with the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue increased 135 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2.71 billion, supported by continued momentum across its services business, disciplined execution and contributions from domestic and international operations. EBITDA grew 81 per cent year-on-year during the quarter.As of June 30, 2026, the company’s standalone order book stood at Rs 17.54 billion, with around 60 per cent coming from oil and gas services and 40 per cent from min..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

BioBTX to Build First Commercial-Scale Circular Chemicals Plant

Dutch circular chemistry technology developer BioBTX is building what it says will be the world’s first commercial-scale plant to convert mixed plastic waste into high-quality aromatic chemicals using its proprietary Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process (ICCP) technology.The facility will be built at Chemical Park Delfzijl on the northern coast of the Netherlands and is expected to create 35 jobs. Covestro, which has been a shareholder and strategic partner of BioBTX since 2024, holds a mid-single-digit million-euro investment in the company.BioBTX’s ICCP technology uses catalytic pyrolys..

Next Story
Real Estate

Awfis Q1 FY27 PAT Jumps 140% as Revenue Rises 27%

Awfis Space Solutions reported a 140 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) to Rs 240 million for Q1 FY27, compared with Rs 100 million in the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue from operations increased 27 per cent to Rs 4.25 billion from Rs 3.35 billion, while EBITDA rose 28 per cent to Rs 1.62 billion. EBITDA margin improved to 38.2 per cent from 37.8 per cent. Profit before tax increased 135 per cent to Rs 240 million.The company's co-working business recorded 27 per cent year-on-year growth, supported by demand from enterprises, Global Capability Centres (G..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement