Rail Freight Loading Up 6.14% in September 2026

Indian Railways loaded 135.35 million tonnes of freight in September 2026, up 6.14 per cent from 127.52 million tonnes in September 2025, according to figures released on 13 October through the Press Information Bureau and reported by Business Standard the same day.

Which commodities grew

Growth was spread across several cargo groups. According to the official data:

• Food grain loading rose 25 per cent.
• Clinker rose 20 per cent.
• Domestic container traffic rose 10 per cent.
• Coal rose 9 per cent.
• Balance other goods rose 8.2 per cent.
• Mineral oil rose 6 per cent, finished steel 5.5 per cent and iron ore 5.2 per cent.

More coal rakes for power plants

Coal remains the backbone of rail freight. The Railways said the average number of coal rakes supplied to power houses each day rose to 443 in September 2026 from 397 a year earlier, a rise of 11.6 per cent. Business Standard noted that coal has been at the centre of a debate over stock levels at power plants.

Revenue and the half-year picture

Freight revenue for September was Rs 1,266 crore higher than in September 2025, a growth of 9.3 per cent. For April to September 2026, cumulative loading reached 833.7 million tonnes, up 4.1 per cent on the same period last year. Freight revenue for the six months grew 3.7 per cent.

Business Standard reported that the Railways expects to end 2026-27 at around 1,750 million tonnes and is aiming for 3,000 million tonnes of freight a year by 2031.

Reading the numbers

The 10 per cent rise in domestic container loading stands out for the trucking trade, because container trains depend on road hauliers for pick-up and delivery at both ends of the journey. Strong food grain and clinker volumes point to procurement movement and steady demand from construction.

The half-year growth of 4.1 per cent is well below September's 6.14 per cent, which suggests freight demand on rail gathered pace as the second quarter ended.

Why it matters for transporters and logistics businesses

• More domestic container trains mean more first- and last-mile trips around inland container depots and rail terminals. Transporters near these hubs can plan fleet deployment around train schedules.
• As more coal, clinker and food grain moves by rail, demand for long-haul trucks on some bulk lanes may soften, so it pays to track lane rates closely.
• Warehouses close to rail-linked terminals may see steadier inflows. Find cargo and warehousing providers and transporters on BizGrowthUp to build partnerships around rail hubs.

Source: PIB; Business Standard