Railways takes further strides in freight operations this year: Review

Highlighting freight-related initiatives in its year-end review, the Ministry of Railways said that it is undertaking a series of transformative infrastructure initiatives to enhance capacity, efficiency, and sustainability across the rail network. Key focus areas include the commissioning of dedicated freight corridors to decongest the conventional network, and promotion of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to supplement public investment. The following sections outline the progress and status of these major initiatives.

Three Major Economic Corridors

* 434 projects have been identified under 03 Economic corridors with cost outlay of Rs. 11.17 lakh crore.

* Energy, Mineral & Cement corridor: 192 projects

* High traffic density routes: 200 projects

* Port connectivity: 42 projects

All 434 projects have been mapped on the PM GatiShakti portal. Out of which presently 121 projects covering track length of 12,133 km and costing Rs 2,02,551 crore have been sanctioned, and 162 projects with track length of 16,910 km and estimated cost of Rs 3,30,545 crore are under different stages of appraisal/inter-ministerial consultation.

The corridor-based program is intended to improve logistic efficiency and reduce logistic cost.

Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC’s) Project

Two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC)   viz.   Eastern   Dedicated    Freight Corridor (EDFC) from Ludhiana to Sonnagar (1,337 km) and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to Dadri (1,506 km) have been commissioned and operationalised (except the 102 km Vaitarna-JNPA section which is under progress).

DFC has contributed to creating additional paths on the conventional network by diverting freight traffic to EDFC and WDFC. In Nov. 2025, 403 average trains per day were run. As a result, Railways has been able to run additional goods and coaching services over its network with better punctuality.

Freight Loading

The momentum generated by record freight performance and targeted policy interventions during the year has translated into tangible on-ground logistics outcomes across regions. In FY 2025-26, the Railways achieved the historic milestone of 1 billion tonnes of freight loading, with daily loading touching 4.4 million tonnes, driven by robust demand from coal, iron ore, cement, and container traffic.

This growth was supported by structural reforms and capacity augmentation, including the introduction of a simplified flat-rate tariff of 0.90 per tonne per kilometre for bulk cement transportation, which has improved cost predictability and encouraged modal shift to rail. Simultaneously, the commissioning of 25 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals during the current year has strengthened first- and last-mile connectivity, enhanced terminal efficiency, and reduced transit time for freight movement.

Wagon Production

To increase freight earnings by maximising induction of new wagons in Indian Railways, wagon manufacturing was scaled up during the last three years on account of the target of 3,000 MT loading by 2029-30. In light of this, production of wagons was reinforced, which led to wagon production of 3,651, 3,880, 4,135 in Jan., Feb., March 2025 respectively resulting in the maximum production of wagons i.e. 41,929 in FY 2024-25 (highest among the last 3 years).

During the current calendar year, Jan. 2025 to Nov. 2025, wagon production was 33,703 nos. 

Together, these developments have enabled Indian Railways to not only handle higher freight volumes efficiently, but also to undertake region-specific, first-of-their-kind freight operations, particularly in remote and strategically important areas. The following examples highlight how enhanced freight capacity, tariff rationalisation and infrastructure expansion have been leveraged to deliver critical logistics solutions during the year.

First Foodgrain Freight Train to Anantnag

In a historic first for the Kashmir Valley, a foodgrain freight train reached the Anantnag Goods Terminal. The train was despatched from Ajit Wal Railway Station, Punjab, carrying approximately 1,384 tonnes of foodgrains, marking the first bulk rail-based foodgrain supply to Anantnag Railway Station, Jammu & Kashmir.

This development formally integrates the Valley with the national freight rail network, strengthening food supply systems, reducing transportation time and cost, and significantly enhancing regional logistics capacity.

Cement Transportation in the Northeast through Rail

Freight operations on the Bairabi-Sairang line began soon after its inauguration. The first freight movement on September 14, 2025 carried 21 cement wagons from Assam to Aizawl. Since then, the route has transported essential goods such as cement, construction materials, automobiles, sand and stone chips, supporting infrastructure development and market access in the region.
Supply of Cars to Mizoram by Rail For the first time, cars have been supplied to Mizoram by rail, marking a historic logistics achievement. An automobile rake carrying 119 Maruti cars from Changsari (near Guwahati) reached Sairang Railway Station near Aizawl.

 

This development is expected to increase vehicle availability in Aizawl and surrounding areas, reduce dependence on long-distance road transport, and benefit dealers, service providers, and consumers.

 

Integrated Logistics Hubs and New Freight Services

Indian Railways has also launched new door-to-door freight and parcel services to strengthen integrated logistics, including:

• Assured transit container rail service between Delhi and Kolkata

• Door-to-door parcel service on the Mumbai-Kolkata route

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