Indian Railways reported a year of significant growth and modernization in FY 2025–26, achieving major milestones across freight transportation, passenger services, infrastructure development, safety systems and indigenous manufacturing.
Speaking on the Railways’ performance, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the national transporter registered record freight loading, expanded modern train services and strengthened safety measures, reinforcing its role as a key driver of economic growth and national connectivity.
Indian Railways operated nearly 25,000 trains daily during the year, while additional special trains were deployed during peak travel seasons to accommodate rising passenger demand and improve accessibility across the network.
A major highlight of the year was the achievement of a record freight loading of 1,670 million tonnes, driven by the efficient movement of essential commodities including coal, cement, fertilisers and food grains. The performance underscores the Railways’ growing importance in supporting India’s industrial and agricultural supply chains.
Under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, Indian Railways further strengthened domestic manufacturing capabilities by producing 1,674 locomotives and 6,677 LHB coaches during the year. The modern LHB coaches are designed to improve passenger safety, ride quality and comfort.
Passenger services witnessed continued modernization with the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, complementing the existing fleet of Vande Bharat Express and Amrit Bharat Express trains. The new services are expected to provide faster, more comfortable and technologically advanced travel options, particularly for long-distance passengers.
Safety remained a key focus area, with the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection System becoming operational across more than 3,100 route kilometres. Expansion work is currently underway on an additional 24,400 kilometres, aimed at enhancing operational safety and preventing train collisions.
Digital transformation efforts also accelerated during the year. The launch of the RailOne App in July 2025 integrated services such as ticket booking, train enquiries and grievance redressal onto a single platform. To improve ticketing transparency and curb misuse, Indian Railways also removed more than 3.04 crore suspicious user accounts.
Infrastructure development continued at pace, with the commissioning of 35 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals to improve freight logistics and cargo handling efficiency. Additionally, 119 railway stations were redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, enhancing passenger amenities and station infrastructure nationwide.
The year also saw significant connectivity improvements. The Bairabi–Sairang rail line extended rail connectivity to Aizawl, strengthening transportation links in the Northeast, while major bridge infrastructure projects enhanced all-weather rail connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the achievements reflect Indian Railways’ continued commitment to modernization, capacity expansion, technological innovation and safety enhancement, supporting the country’s long-term economic development and mobility needs.
