Coal loading rises 9%; freight revenue increases 9.3% as cumulative April–September loading grows 4.1%
Indian Railways recorded a 6.14% year-on-year growth in freight loading in September 2026, with total loading increasing to 135.35 million tonnes (MT) from 127.52 MT in September 2025, according to the Ministry of Railways.
Higher loading across several major commodity segments, led by food grains, drove the growth, which rose 25%. Clinker loading rose 20%, while domestic container traffic rose 10%.
Coal loading increased by 9% during the month, followed by an 8.2% rise in the balance other goods category. Mineral oil loading grew by 6%, finished steel by 5.5% and iron ore by 5.2%, reflecting broad-based growth in rail freight transportation.
Coal Supplies to Power Plants Rise 11.6%
Indian Railways stepped up domestic coal transportation to power plants during September 2026. The average number of coal rakes supplied to power houses per day increased to 443, compared with 397 in September 2025, registering a growth of 11.6%.
The increase highlights the continued role of rail transportation in meeting the coal requirements of the power sector.
Freight Revenue Increases 9.3%
Indian Railways recorded an additional ₹1,266 crore in freight revenue during September 2026 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year, representing a year-on-year increase of 9.3%.
The revenue growth accompanied the rise in overall freight loading, supported by stronger performance across key commodity segments.
April–September Freight Loading Grows 4.1%
On a cumulative basis, Indian Railways loaded 833.7 MT of freight during April–September 2026, registering a 4.1% increase over the corresponding period of the previous year.
Freight revenue during the first six months of the financial year also increased by 3.7%, indicating continued expansion in rail freight transportation.
The September performance and cumulative figures underline Indian Railways’ contribution to domestic cargo movement, coal supply to power plants and multimodal logistics connectivity, while the growth across containers, steel, iron ore and other commodities points to sustained demand for rail-based freight services.