Indian Railways recorded its highest-ever freight loading in October, transporting 145.07 million tonnes of goods. This marks an 8.32% increase from 133.93 million tonnes in October 2025, according to data released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on November 4, 2026.

The railway network transported 11.14 million tonnes more goods than in the same month last year. Food grains, domestic coal and other commodities contributed to the growth.

Food grains recorded the highest growth among major commodities at 26.3%, followed by domestic coal at 16% and other goods at 11%. Clinker loading increased by 10.4%, while domestic containers registered growth of 6.3%.

Iron ore transportation rose by 5%, mineral oil by 1.9% and finished steel by 0.5% during October 2026 compared with the corresponding month last year.

Indian Railways also increased domestic coal transportation to meet the demand from power houses. The average number of coal rakes supplied per day rose to 469.8 in October 2026, compared with 393.2 in October 2025. This represents an increase of 19.5%.

During April-October 2026, Indian Railways recorded cumulative freight loading of 978.78 million tonnes, against 935.10 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous financial year. This represents year-on-year growth of 4.67%.

Indian Railways carried 64.72 crore passengers in October 2026, compared with 63.52 crore in October 2025.

Passenger traffic during April-October 2026 reached 443.8 crore, up from 431.4 crore in the same period last year. The non-suburban passenger segment recorded growth of 4.2%, while the Suburban segment registered an increase of 1.7%.

Indian Railways said capacity augmentation and improvements in operational efficiency remain important to strengthening the country's transportation and logistics network.