Indian Railways freight operations continued to show steady growth in February 2026, supported by strong demand for transportation of key commodities such as steel, iron ore, fertilizers and containers.
The robust performance helped Indian Railways freight earnings reach ₹14,571.99 crore during the month.
Indian Railways plays a critical role in supporting the country’s economic activity by enabling efficient transportation of essential commodities including coal, steel, fertilizers, cement, food grains and containers.
The growth in Indian Railways freight traffic reflects sustained demand for rail-based logistics across multiple industrial sectors.
Freight Loading Grows Nearly 4% in February
In February 2026, Indian Railways freight loading reached 137.72 million tonnes (MT), registering a 3.96% increase compared to 132.48 million tonnes in February 2025.
Freight revenue during the month stood at ₹14,571.99 crore, compared to ₹14,151.96 crore in the corresponding month last year, reflecting a 2.97% year-on-year increase in Indian Railways freight earnings.
Railways also recorded growth in transport output. Net Tonne Kilometres (NTKM), a key indicator of freight movement, reached 76,007 million NTKM in February 2026, compared with 72,955 million NTKM in February 2025, marking a 4.18% increase in Indian Railways freight movement.
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Core Commodities Drive Indian Railways Freight Growth
A large portion of Indian Railways freight traffic continues to be driven by core sector commodities. During February 2026, the rail network transported significant volumes of coal, iron ore, finished steel, fertilizers, cement and container traffic.
Growth in commodities such as finished steel, iron ore and fertilizers significantly contributed to the overall performance of Indian Railways freight during the month.
Daily freight loading data showed strong year-on-year growth in several commodities, including Iron Ore, Pig Iron and Finished Steel, Raw Materials for Steel Plants (excluding Iron Ore), Fertilizers, Mineral Oil and Container EXIM traffic.
- Iron Ore loading stood at 0.675 million tonnes, compared with 0.529 million tonnes last year, reflecting a 27.6% increase in Indian Railways freight movement.
- Pig Iron and Finished Steel registered 0.343 million tonnes, up from 0.284 million tonnes last year, recording 20.8% growth.
- Raw materials for steel plants (excluding iron ore) rose sharply to 0.141 million tonnes from 0.096 million tonnes, marking a 46.9% increase in Indian Railways freight transport.
- Fertilizer loading increased to 0.184 million tonnes from 0.167 million tonnes, reflecting 10.2% growth.
- Mineral Oil traffic reached 0.172 million tonnes, up from 0.146 million tonnes, registering 17.8% growth.
- Similarly, Container EXIM traffic grew to 0.251 million tonnes, compared with 0.213 million tonnes last year, representing 17.8% growth in Indian Railways freight movement.
Monthly Commodity Performance Remains Strong
In the cumulative monthly performance for February, several commodities registered strong growth compared to the same period last year.
- Fertilizer loading increased to 5.396 million tonnes, compared with 4.224 million tonnes, reflecting 27.7% growth in Indian Railways freight movement.
- Clinker loading rose to 6.508 million tonnes from 5.421 million tonnes, registering 20.1% growth.
- Pig Iron and Finished Steel loading reached 6.237 million tonnes, compared with 5.522 million tonnes, marking 12.9% growth.
- Iron Ore loading increased to 16.370 million tonnes, compared to 14.925 million tonnes, reflecting 9.7% growth in Indian Railways freight transport.
- Container traffic also recorded growth. Container EXIM traffic reached 5.432 million tonnes, compared with 5.142 million tonnes, registering 5.6% growth.
Meanwhile, Container Domestic traffic rose to 2.015 million tonnes, compared with 1.970 million tonnes, marking 2.3% growth in Indian Railways freight logistics.
Rail freight continues to remain one of the most economical and environmentally efficient transportation modes for bulk goods, helping industries move raw materials and finished products across long distances in a reliable and cost-effective manner.
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Strong Cumulative Freight Performance in FY 2025–26
The performance of Indian Railways freight operations during the current financial year has also remained positive.
Between 1 April 2025 and 28 February 2026, Indian Railways transported 1,503.80 million tonnes of freight, compared with 1,456.07 million tonnes during the same period last year, registering a 3.28% increase in Indian Railways freight loading.
Freight revenue during this period reached ₹1,60,987 crore, compared to ₹1,58,539.86 crore in the corresponding period last year, marking a 1.54% increase.
Total freight movement measured in Net Tonne Kilometres (NTKM) stood at 840,000 million, compared with 826,586 million NTKM in the previous year, reflecting 1.62% growth in Indian Railways freight transport output.
Strengthening National Logistics Network
Indian Railways continues to strengthen its freight logistics capabilities through capacity augmentation, improved terminal infrastructure, dedicated freight corridors and digital freight management systems.
These initiatives are helping industries and businesses move goods more efficiently while reducing logistics costs across the country.
With continued investments in infrastructure and freight operations, Indian Railways freight services remain central to the country’s logistics network and continue to support India’s economic growth.
