Overview
- The Ministry of Railways said on Wednesday that Indian Railways moved 145.07 million tonnes of freight in October 2026, an 8.32% rise from October 2025 and the highest October total on record.
- Food-grain shipments jumped 26.3% and domestic coal rose 16.0% in October, with smaller gains in clinker, containers, iron ore, mineral oil and finished steel that together produced broad-based commodity growth.
- Railways increased domestic coal supply to an average of 469.8 rakes per day in October, up 19.5% from 393.2 rakes per day a year earlier, to meet higher demand at thermal power stations.
- For April–October 2026 the network loaded 978.78 million tonnes, up 4.67% year-on-year, reflecting faster monthly momentum in October after a weaker first quarter of FY 2026–27.
- Passenger volumes also rose in October and for April–October, with festivals expected to lift travel further, and officials note that sustained, higher annual freight growth will be needed to reach the 3,000 mt-by-2031 target.