Railways Sets New Records In Passenger And Freight

03 Apr 2026 CW Team

Indian Railways reported record performance in 2025–26, registering gains in both passenger operations and freight. Passenger carriage rose to 7,410 mn in the year, an increase of 3.54 per cent over 7,160 mn in 2024–25, while passenger revenue increased to Rs 800 bn, up 5.96 per cent from Rs 755 bn. These outcomes reflect improvements in operational efficiency and growing reliance on rail transport for mobility and commerce.

Freight loading reached 1,670 mn t in 2025–26, a rise of 3.25 per cent year on year, driven by higher bulk movements and improved logistics. The number of wagons handled increased to 29,186,475 from 27,912,271 in the previous year, a rise of 4.56 per cent, indicating greater capacity utilisation. This steady expansion positioned rail as a preferred mode for cost effective and efficient bulk transport.

Growth in key commodities supported the freight surge, with fertilisers rising by 13.49 per cent and pig iron and finished steel by 13.11 per cent, reflecting stronger agricultural and industrial demand. Iron ore transport increased by 6.74 per cent to 190.12 mn t and cement loading grew by 4.74 per cent to 157.17 mn t, underpinning ongoing infrastructure activity. Freight earnings amounted to Rs 1,777.54 bn, up 1.44 per cent from Rs 1,753.02 bn, with iron ore, cement and steel among the top revenue contributors.

Zone wise performance was broadly positive, led by South Western Railway with a 14.89 per cent increase and strong double digit gains in North Central at 12.62 per cent, East Coast at 10.42 per cent and West Central at 10.06 per cent. Several other zones recorded modest growth, supporting balanced regional development and enhanced freight handling capacity across the network. The combined improvement in passenger and freight metrics is expected to sustain the railway system’s contribution to national connectivity and economic growth.

Resources

13 May 2026

Anant Raj Appoints Anish Sarin as Director

Anant Raj has appointed Anish Sarin as Director on its Board, marking a key step in the company’s leadership transition and long-term growth strategy. The announcement was made during the company’s Q4 and FY26 results declaration, reflecting the induction of next-generation leadership as the company expands across real estate, cloud infrastructure and data centre businesses. Anish Sarin, grandson of veteran industrialist Ashok Sarin, represents the emerging leadership at Anant Raj. Educated at Regent’s University London, he brings a global business outlook along with a strong focus on t..

Vedanta eyes AI-led value growth

Vedanta Group expects to unlock USD 300–400 million in additional value over the next three years through large-scale deployment of AI-led industrial technologies across its businesses. The group said its V-Spark DeepTech Ventures platform has already delivered nearly four times return on investment since inception.Vedanta is scaling AI, predictive analytics, Industrial Internet of Things, digital twins, machine learning, automation and connected manufacturing technologies across its metals, mining, energy and industrial operations. These deployments are aimed at improving productivity, lowe..

Hindustan Zinc inks pact with Group Nirmal

Hindustan Zinc has signed an MoU with Group Nirmal to set up a zinc wire manufacturing facility at its Zinc Industrial Park in Khankhala, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. The partnership will expand downstream manufacturing activity and support value-added zinc applications in India.Under the agreement, Group Nirmal will manufacture zinc wire products using Hindustan Zinc’s Special High Grade zinc. The products will cater to infrastructure, renewable energy, automotive and industrial engineering sectors.Zinc wire is used in thermal spray coating and metallising processes to protect steel struct..