DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways transported 135.35 million tonnes of freight in September 2026, up 6.14% from the same month last year. Higher loading across food grains, clinker and coal helped drive the increase, while freight revenue grew faster than tonnage.

According to a PIB release dated October 13, the railway network also recorded a 4.1% rise in cumulative freight loading during April-September, reaching 833.7 million tonnes.

Food grains, clinkers lead commodity growth 

The biggest contribution in this number has been given by the food grains, amongst the other categories highlighted by the government. However overall different commodity segments supported the increase in freight loading. Food grain loading increased 25 percent year-on-year, other than that clinker is at 20 percent and domestic container at 10%. Loading of other goods rose to 8 per cent and coal loading increased 9 per cent. During the month, mineral oil loading increased by 6%, finished steel loading rose by 5.5%, and iron ore loading recorded a growth of 5.2%

Increase in freight revenue

The rising volume of freight loading also added to the revenue. Freight revenue rose by Rs1,266 Cr compared with the same month last year. 

During April to September 2026 freight loading was around 833.7 million tonnes, marking a 4.1 per cent rise over the same time period in the previous year. Freight Revenue increased 3.7 per cent during the first half of the financial year, according to the official press release.

In September, the government increased coal supplies to power houses with the average number of coal rakes increasing daily to 443 from 397 in 2025. This represented a rise of 11.6% year on year.

The recent numbers indicate on-going growth with rail freight volumes during the first six months of the economic year with gains over major commodities of several different categories and rising movement of coal to power plants. 

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