New Delhi – The indian Railways has achieved a historic milestone, posting its highest-ever monthly freight earnings of Rs 14,100 crore in august 2025. Strong sectoral performance and diversification across cargo categories contributed to this record-breaking revenue.
1. Freight Volume Growth
- Total Freight Volume: 130.9 million tonnes in august, up from 120.6 million tonnes in august 2024 (8.5% growth).
- Cumulative FY26 Freight: 673.6 million tonnes, a 3.1% increase over the previous year.
This steady growth underscores the Railways’ ability to maintain robust freight traffic even amidst global uncertainties.
2. Sectoral Performance Driving Earnings
Freight growth was fueled by strong performance in key sectors:
- Coal: 9% increase
- Finished Steel: 22% increase
- Fertilizers: Good uptake
- Mineral Oil: 4.5% increase
- Domestic Containers: 6% increase
- Exim Containers (Exports & Imports): 5% increase
- Other Goods: 31% increase
The diversification highlights minimal impact from the US geopolitical tariff war and healthy demand across multiple industries.
3. Quarterly and Yearly Trends
- Q1 FY26 (Apr–Jun): Freight volumes rose 2% YoY to 413 million tonnes; freight revenue up 2% to Rs 44,870.4 crore.
- July 2025: Freight revenue growth almost reached double digits, signaling momentum going into the second half of the year.
The Railways’ FY26 target of 1,702.5 million tonnes represents a 5.2% increase over 2024-25, reflecting steady long-term growth.
4. Coal: The Backbone of rail Freight
- Coal remains over half of the indian Railways’ freight basket.
- August’s earnings could have been even higher if coal loading had been stronger.
- Coal freight is expected to pick up post-monsoon in Q3, further boosting earnings.
5. Key Takeaways
- Indian Railways’ freight operations are experiencing consistent growth, supported by diversified cargo categories.
- Record earnings in august 2025 demonstrate resilience against global trade disruptions.
- Continued growth in coal and steel shipments, along with container traffic, will likely maintain momentum through FY26.
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