Indian Railways has become the second-largest freight carrier globally, with freight loading increasing from 1,233 million tonnes in 2020-21 to 1,617 million tonnes projected for 2024-25.
Despite rising input costs, freight rates have remained unchanged since 2018. Recent fare adjustments for passengers were made only after five years, with minimal increases ranging from half to two paise per kilometer, depending on the class of service.
To improve freight capacity, Indian Railways has expanded its network through new constructions and line upgrades, and has made significant strides in electrification, with 99.1% of the Broad Gauge network electrified.
Additionally, about 2 lakh new wagons and over 10,000 locomotives have been procured to enhance freight operations.
