Over 4 per cent increase in freight loadings of Railways in November
By Arun Kumar Das
New Delhi, Dec 2 9BVI): Increase in transportation of key commodities such as steel, iron ore and fertilisers has given boost to rail freight in November as the loadings touched 135.7 Million Tonnes during the month, up by 4.2 percent against the same period last year.
On a cumulative basis up to November 2025, freight loading has risen by 3.3 per cent to 1,070.8 million tonnes, according to the Railways.
In November 2025, Indian Railways recorded a freight loading of 135.7 million tonnes, representing a 4.2 percent increase over 130.2 million tonnes in the same month last year.
The growth has been primarily driven by significant gains in the transport of key commodity segments, including Pig Iron and Finished Steel (16 per cent), Iron Ore (9.7 per cent), fertilisers (10.6 per cent), Containers (6.8 per cent), and Balance Other Goods (23.6 per cent), reflecting healthy diversification in freight traffic.
This milestone is particularly significant given that the Indian Railways has moved more freight in just eight months of FY 2025–26 than it did in the entire year of 2013–14, when total loading stood at 1,055 million tonnes.
This sustained growth is strengthening industrial supply chains, supporting both domestic and international trade, and providing a more sustainable, cost-efficient logistics ecosystem.
With rail transport costing nearly half as much as road transport, the impact of this cost advantage is further amplified—creating substantial savings for businesses and contributing to broader economic gains.
As more bulk goods shift to rail, the benefits extend well beyond commercial performance. Rail transport reduces carbon emissions, decongests highways, and offers industries—including MSMEs—a greener and more reliable logistics alternative.
This shift reinforces India’s commitment to sustainable growth, aligning freight operations with the nation’s Net Zero Carbon Emission goals and further positioning Indian Railways as a key driver of both economic and environmental progress. (BVI)
