New Delhi: Indian Railways loaded 141.3 million tonnes of freight in July 2026, registering a 9 per cent increase from 129.7 million tonnes transported during the corresponding month last year, according to the Ministry of Railways.
The operational data, released on August 3, showed growth across several major commodity categories, alongside higher freight revenue and passenger traffic during the month.
Iron ore recorded the strongest percentage increase among the commodities highlighted by the ministry, with loading rising 22.2 per cent year-on-year.
Fertiliser loading increased 12 per cent, while coal and foodgrain loading grew 11.5 per cent each. Loading under the Balance Other Goods category rose 12.1 per cent compared with July 2025.
The ministry linked the higher commodity movement to demand from the infrastructure, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
Indian Railways also increased domestic coal supply to thermal power plants by 20 per cent in July compared with the corresponding month last year. The ministry attributed the increase to higher coal demand from power-generating stations.
The increase in freight movement generated an additional ₹1,137 crore in revenue compared with July 2025. Overall freight revenue grew 8 per cent year-on-year during the month.
Among the railway zones highlighted by the ministry, East Central Railway and Eastern Railway each registered 33 per cent growth in freight revenue.
West Central Railway recorded 23 per cent growth, while South Eastern Railway reported a 10.33 per cent increase.
The ministry did not provide the absolute freight-revenue figures for individual zones or identify the commodity-wise contribution to the additional revenue.
Freight remains a major component of Indian Railways’ operations, particularly for transporting bulk commodities required by the energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and agricultural sectors.
Passenger traffic also increased during July, with Indian Railways carrying 63.35 crore passengers compared with 62.19 crore in July 2025.
The figures represent an increase of 1.16 crore passengers over the corresponding month last year. Passenger numbers grew across both suburban and non-suburban railway services, according to the ministry.
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