Indian Railways transported 135.35 million tonnes of freight in September 2026, marking a 6.14 per cent increase compared to the same month in the previous year. The Ministry of Railways announced the figures on 13 October 2026, highlighting sustained demand for rail freight services across key economic sectors and strengthened coal supply to power stations.
Key facts
- September 2026 freight loading: 135.35 million tonnes versus 127.52 million tonnes in September 2025
- Food grain loading grew 25%, clinker 20%, domestic containers 10%
- Coal loading to power houses increased 11.6%, with 443 rakes supplied per day in September 2026 versus 397 per day in September 2025
- Freight revenue in September 2026 rose by Rs 1,266 crore, a 9.3% increase
- April-September 2026 cumulative freight loading: 833.7 million tonnes, up 4.1% year-on-year
- Cumulative freight revenue for April-September 2026 grew 3.7%
Commodity-wise growth during September 2026
Indian Railways saw broad-based growth across its freight portfolio in September. Beyond food grain and clinker, several other commodities performed well. Coal loading grew by 9 per cent, while balance other goods increased 8.2 per cent. Mineral oil rose 6 per cent, finished steel 5.5 per cent, and iron ore 5.2 per cent. This diversity in growth suggests increased economic activity across agriculture, manufacturing and power generation sectors.
Stronger coal supply to the power sector
A significant development was the improved supply of coal to power generating stations. Indian Railways increased the average daily rakes supplied to power houses from 397 in September 2025 to 443 in September 2026, representing an 11.6 per cent rise. This boost reflects the railways’ effort to meet growing electricity demand and support the nation’s energy infrastructure, particularly during the monsoon transition period when hydro-power generation typically declines.
First-half performance and revenue growth
Looking at the full first half of the financial year from April to September 2026, Indian Railways loaded a cumulative 833.7 million tonnes of freight, up 4.1 per cent from the corresponding period in 2025. The revenue generated during this six-month period also grew, rising 3.7 per cent compared to April-September 2025. While the cumulative growth rate of 4.1 per cent is lower than the September month-on-month growth of 6.14 per cent, it indicates sustained positive momentum in rail freight operations over the entire half-year.
What this means for the economy
These figures suggest that Indian Railways is successfully capturing freight demand across multiple sectors. The sharp rise in food grain loading indicates either stronger agricultural output, improved supply chain efficiency, or both. Growth in clinker and finished steel points to ongoing construction and industrial activity. The expansion in container traffic shows increasing participation of organised logistics and e-commerce players in rail freight. Higher coal supplies to power plants signal that the power sector remains robust despite seasonal variations.
For businesses relying on rail transport, the consistent growth suggests that the railways continues to improve its operational capacity and remains a viable option for bulk freight movement. The 9.3 per cent growth in freight revenue indicates that the ministry is not only moving more goods but also achieving better pricing, which may reflect improved service quality or capacity constraints that allow better rate realisation.
What this means for citizens
Improved coal supply to power stations helps ensure stable electricity generation and reduces the likelihood of power shortages during peak demand periods. Better food grain movement through railways can help stabilise agricultural product prices and ensure supplies reach distribution centres efficiently. The overall health of freight operations also reflects the state of the broader economy, suggesting continued industrial and commercial activity that supports employment and business growth.