Indian Railways surpasses last year's freight loading in record time

In India, the freight movement of Indian Railways has shown remarkable growth in the first 11 months of the financial year 2024-25, reaching a total loading of 1,465.371 million tonnes (MT). This achievement has already exceeded the entire freight loading of the previous fiscal year, which was recorded at 1,443.166 MT in 2023-24. The Ministry of Railways has noted that this momentum is part of a larger strategy aimed at achieving a target of 3,000 MT in freight loading by the year 2027. Freight transportation plays a crucial role in the overall revenue structure of Indian Railways, accounting for nearly 65 percent of its total income, thereby underscoring its significance to the national transport framework. The substantial growth in freight loading can be attributed to the ongoing expansion of railway infrastructure, including over 34,000 kilometers of additional railway tracks constructed over the past 11 years. This expansion has facilitated not only an increase in freight capacity but also improvements in the efficiency and speed of both freight and passenger train operations. The introduction of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) has been particularly influential in enhancing logistics capabilities. The DFC network set a new precedent in January 2025, with an average of 391 trains operating daily on DFC tracks, highlighting the corridors' important role in modernizing freight transport in the country. More specifically, the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) managed 209 trains per day on average, whereas the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) operated 182 trains daily. The successful diversion of freight traffic from East Central Railway and North Central Railway to the EDFC has alleviated congestion on nearby zonal railways, resulting in smoother operations for passenger trains. This advancement was particularly significant during the Maha Kumbh Mela, when ensuring efficient freight and passenger train movements was crucial for logistical success. In response to the increasing freight demands, Indian Railways has ramped up locomotive production significantly. As of January 2025, the railway authorities manufactured 1,346 locomotives, indicating a rise of over 9 percent compared to the 1,235 locomotives produced in the previous fiscal year. This commitment to enhancing production underscores Indian Railways' readiness to meet the growing logistics needs of the country, therefore confirming its pivotal role in supporting India's industrial and economic goals.