Indian Railways reported strong operational performance for July 2026, demonstrating significant growth across both freight and passenger segments. The national carrier loaded 141.3 million tonnes of freight during the month, representing a 9% increase compared to the 129.7 million tonnes loaded in July 2025. This performance reflects sustained demand across core economic sectors and ongoing improvements in freight logistics and operational efficiency.
Several key commodity groups recorded substantial year-on-year growth during July 2026. Iron ore loading increased by 22.2%, while fertilizers grew by 12%. Both food grains and coal loading showed identical growth rates of 11.5% each. The category of Balance Other Goods also registered strong growth at 12.1%. Notably, Indian Railways significantly increased domestic coal supply to power plants by 20% in July 2026 compared to the corresponding month last year, addressing heightened coal demand at thermal power plants.
The increased freight movement generated incremental freight revenue of ₹1,137 crore over July 2025, representing an 8% growth. Among the zonal railways, East Central Railway and Eastern Railway both recorded exceptional 33% growth in freight revenue. West Central Railway followed with 23% growth, while South Eastern Railway posted a 10.33% increase.
Passenger traffic also showed positive growth, with Indian Railways carrying 63.35 crore passengers during July 2026 compared to 62.19 crore during the corresponding month last year. This growth was observed across both suburban and non-suburban segments, indicating growing preference for rail travel nationwide. Indian Railways emphasized its continued commitment to strengthening freight logistics, enhancing passenger services, and expanding modern rail infrastructure to support India's economic growth, energy security, and mobility needs.