Railways freight loading rises 1.3% to 145 MT in May despite West Asia headwinds

Indian Railways loaded 145 million tonnes of freight in May 2026, registering a 1.3% increase over the year-ago period despite global logistical disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The growth was led by strong performance in iron ore, steel, fertilisers and other goods traffic, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.

Among major commodities, loading under the "Balance Other Goods" category recorded a robust 16% increase in May compared to the corresponding month last year.

Iron ore loading rose 4.8%, while pig iron and finished steel traffic increased 3.5%. Fertiliser loading grew 6.2% during the month.

Coal, which continues to constitute the largest share of railway freight traffic, maintained steady growth, with loading increasing by nearly 1% over the previous year.

"To meet the requirements of thermal power plants and ensure energy security, Indian Railways accorded priority to coal movement and closely monitored its transit across the network," the statement said.

The ministry said the increase in freight loading was achieved despite challenges arising from the geopolitical situation in West Asia and its indirect impact on logistics and supply chains.

Indian Railways maintained uninterrupted movement of essential commodities through continuous operational monitoring and efficient utilisation of assets, it added.

The national transporter also stepped up monitoring of domestic and export-import container traffic to facilitate seamless freight movement and sustain supply chain efficiency.

Meanwhile, Indian Railways carried more than 61 crore passengers in May 2026, up from around 59 crore passengers in the same month a year earlier.

The growth was led by the non-suburban segment, where passenger traffic rose 7.4% to 30 crore from 28 crore in May 2025.

The ministry said passenger convenience was also being enhanced through the expansion of modern train services.

Indian Railways is currently operating 164 Vande Bharat services, including the recently introduced Sleeper Vande Bharat service between Howrah and Kamakhya.

The number of Amrit Bharat services has reached 68, with three new services inaugurated during May, it added.