Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 14: Indian Railways has recorded a 5.4 per cent year-on-year increase in freight loading in August 2026, alongside a notable rise in passenger traffic during the month, reflecting sustained demand for rail-based transportation across the nation, the Ministry of Railways stated on Sunday.
The national transporter loaded 137.9 million tonnes of freight in August 2026, compared to 130.9 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year. Freight revenue also registered a growth of 6.27 per cent year-on-year during the month.
The jump in freight movement was driven by higher loading across several key commodities. Iron ore loading witnessed the highest growth at 12.1 per cent, followed by clinker at 10.4 per cent, domestic containers at 9.2 per cent, and coal at 6 per cent. Finished steel loading went up by 4.9 per cent, while mineral oil and fertilizers grew by 3.1 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively. Loading of other goods rose by 8.2 per cent.
The increased freight movement is expected to bolster rail-based supply chains for key industries and streamline the transportation of essential commodities, raw materials, and finished goods across various regions.
Expanding its freight-handling infrastructure, Indian Railways commissioned five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) during the month. The newly operational terminals are situated at Shivlakha in Gujarat, Nalli in Tamil Nadu, Shaktinagar in Uttar Pradesh, Deoragram in Madhya Pradesh, and Brajrajnagar in Odisha.
With these new additions, the total number of commissioned Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals reached 149 as of August 31, 2026. These terminals are designed to bring cargo facilities closer to major production and consumption hubs, thereby boosting logistical efficiency.
On the passenger front, Indian Railways transported 67.27 crore passengers in August 2026, up from 64.43 crore recorded in August 2025. Suburban passenger traffic saw a robust surge of 9.02 per cent, increasing to 38.01 crore passengers from 34.89 crore in the previous year.
Furthermore, passenger connectivity received a boost with the regularisation of 14 Amrit Bharat services in August, taking the overall count of operational Amrit Bharat train services to 86.
The newly regularised routes comprise key sectors including Subedarganj–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Gorakhpur–Bandra Terminus, Gorakhpur–Delhi Jn, Ahmedabad–Bhagalpur, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Prayagraj Jn, Prayagraj Jn–Udhna Jn, and Dhanbad–Coimbatore.