February Sees 3% Increase in Indian Railways' Freight Revenue, Reaching Rs 14,572 Crore
Synopsis
In February, Indian Railways reported a remarkable 2.97% increase in freight revenue, totaling Rs 14,571.99 crore. The growth is driven by essential commodities, reflecting a robust performance across the board.
Key Takeaways
Freight revenue increased by 2.97% in February.
Total freight revenue reached Rs 14,571.99 crore .
Freight loading rose by 3.96% YoY.
Key commodities driving growth include coal and iron ore .
Overall freight carried from April 2025 to February 2026 was 1,503.8 MT .
New Delhi, March 6 (NationPress) The freight revenue of Indian Railways has witnessed an increase of 2.97 percent year-over-year, reaching Rs 14,571.99 crore in February, as reported by the government on Friday.
In the same month last year, the freight revenue was Rs 14,151.96 crore.
The Ministry of Railways stated that freight loading experienced a growth of 3.96 percent YoY, totaling 137.72 million tonnes (MT) for the month, compared to 132.48 MT in February of the previous year.
Additionally, transport output, calculated by Net Tonne Kilometres (NTKM), increased by 4.18 percent, reaching 76,007 million NTKM in February 2026, up from 72,955 million NTKM the previous year.
The official statement also highlighted that the freight traffic was primarily propelled by essential commodities, including coal, iron ore, finished steel, fertilizers, cement, and container cargo.
In terms of daily freight loading, iron ore shipments surged to 0.675 MT, a 27.6 percent increase from 0.529 MT, while the loading of pig iron and finished steel rose to 0.343 MT from 0.284 MT, marking a 20.8 percent rise.
The government also pointed out that the loading of raw materials for steel production (excluding iron ore) increased significantly to 0.141 MT from 0.096 MT, reflecting a 46.9 percent jump.
Fertilizer loading saw a rise of 10.2 percent to 0.184 MT, while both mineral oil and container EXIM traffic surged by 17.8 percent, as per the Ministry's report.
Monthly cumulative data revealed robust growth across key commodities.
Regarding container traffic, EXIM cargo increased by 5.6 percent, and domestic container traffic grew by 2.3 percent during the month.
From April 2025 to February 2026, Indian Railways transported 1,503.8 MT of freight, reflecting a rise of 3.28 percent from 1,456.07 MT during the same period last year.
During this period, freight revenue amounted to Rs 1.61 lakh crore, and freight movement, as measured by NTKM, rose by 1.62 percent to 840,000 million NTKM, according to government data.
Point of View
Showcasing its vital role in transporting essential commodities. The upward trend in freight revenue not only reflects the resilience of the sector but also its importance in supporting the nation's economy.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the freight revenue of Indian Railways in February?
In February, Indian Railways' freight revenue reached Rs 14,571.99 crore , marking a 2.97% increase year-on-year.
What commodities contributed to the increase in freight traffic?
The increase in freight traffic was primarily driven by core commodities including coal, iron ore, finished steel, fertilizers, cement , and container cargo .
How much did freight loading increase in February?
Freight loading increased by 3.96% year-on-year, totaling 137.72 million tonnes (MT) .
What was the transport output measured by NTKM?
Transport output measured by Net Tonne Kilometres (NTKM) rose 4.18% to 76,007 million NTKM in February.
What is the cumulative freight carried from April 2025 to February 2026?
From April 2025 to February 2026, Indian Railways carried 1,503.8 MT of freight, which is a 3.28% increase from the previous year.
