Indian Railways loaded 145 million tonnes (MT) of freight in the first two months of FY 2026–27 (April–May 2026), registering a 1.3% year-on-year increase despite disruptions to global logistics stemming from the West Asia conflict, according to an official statement released on Monday, 1 June 2026. The performance signals continued resilience in rail freight even as supply chains face external pressure.

Key Commodity Segments Drive Growth

The Balance Other Goods (BOG) segment led all categories with a robust 16% growth over the corresponding period last year. Iron ore loading rose by 4.8%, while pig iron and finished steel recorded a 3.5% increase. Fertilisers posted a healthy 6.2% uptick, reflecting sustained agricultural demand across the country.

Coal, which continues to account for the single largest share of railway freight traffic, maintained steady momentum with loading rising by nearly 1% over the previous year. Indian Railways accorded priority to coal movement to meet the requirements of thermal power plants and safeguard energy security, closely monitoring transit across the network.

Passenger Traffic Surges in May 2026

On the passenger side, Indian Railways carried over 61 crore passengers in May 2026, up from approximately 59 crore in the same month last year. The non-suburban segment was the primary growth driver, recording a 7.4% rise — with numbers climbing from 28 crore to 30 crore — underscoring the enduring preference for rail travel across both short and long-distance corridors.

To manage the seasonal surge in travel demand, Indian Railways operated a large number of summer special trains across various routes during the period.

Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat Expansion

The national transporter is currently operating 164 Vande Bharat services, including the recently introduced Sleeper Vande Bharat on the Howrah–Kamakhya route. The Amrit Bharat fleet has reached 68 services, with three new services inaugurated during May 2026 alone, reflecting accelerated fleet expansion under the current modernisation push.

Container Traffic and Supply Chain Focus

Indian Railways has intensified monitoring of both domestic and EXIM container traffic to facilitate seamless freight movement and support economic activity across regions. Officials stated that continuous operational monitoring and efficient asset utilisation have been central to sustaining growth under challenging global conditions.

With freight loading holding firm, passenger volumes rising, and modern train services expanding, Indian Railways appears on track to consolidate its position as the backbone of the country's transportation network through the remainder of FY 2026–27.