Indian Railways freight loading rises 4% in June, passenger traffic grows steadily

New Delhi: Railway freight loading increased by 4% in June 2026 as Indian Railways transported 142.21 million tonnes (MT) of cargo, while passenger traffic also recorded steady growth compared with the corresponding month last year.

Indian Railways carried 142.21 MT of freight in June, up from 136.71 MT in June 2025. Freight earnings also increased by 3%, generating an additional revenue of about ₹430 crore during the month.

Several key commodities posted strong growth. Fertiliser loading rose by 19.1%, followed by Balance Other Goods at 17.3%, iron ore at 9.4%, clinker at 7.2%, domestic coal at 4.9% and total coal at 3.6%. Coal supply to thermal power plants also increased by 7%, helping meet higher electricity demand during the extended summer season.

During the first quarter of FY 2026-27, Indian Railways transported 419.08 MT of freight, surpassing 413.05 MT handled during the same period last year. Iron ore loading grew by 7.44%, clinker by 6.54% and Balance & Other Goods by 12.16% during the April-June quarter.

Railway freight loading supports economic activity

Passenger services also maintained positive momentum in June. Indian Railways carried 63.81 crore passengers, compared with 62.37 crore during the same month last year.

The non-suburban segment registered 3.9% growth, with passenger numbers increasing from 28.90 crore to 30.04 crore. Meanwhile, suburban services recorded 0.9% growth as passenger traffic increased from 33.46 crore to 33.77 crore.

Indian Railways also expanded its premium train network. The number of Vande Bharat services increased to 164, including the newly introduced Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Howrah and Kamakhya. The Amrit Bharat network expanded to 72 services after four new trains were introduced in June.

The Ministry said the continued rise in Railway freight loading and passenger traffic reflected sustained investment in capacity expansion, operational efficiency and modern infrastructure. It added that Indian Railways remains committed to supporting economic growth through reliable freight movement and safe, affordable passenger services.