Central Railway’s freight revenue crossed Rs 3,400 crore in the first five months of the current financial year, as higher coal, container and automobile movement pushed both loading and earnings above the corresponding period last year.
The railway transported 34.48 million tonnes of freight across 13,058 rakes between April and August 2026, a 7% increase from the 32.10 million tonnes moved during the same period in the previous financial year. Freight earnings rose to Rs 3,461.92 crore from Rs 3,346.80 crore.
Central Railway announced the figures on Sunday, highlighting strong industrial demand and a surge in August performance. The network connects major industrial and consumption centres, making its freight performance relevant to the movement of fuel, construction inputs, manufactured goods and essential commodities across the region.
Automobile transportation recorded one of the sharpest increases. Central Railway handled 451 automobile rakes during the period, compared with 357 rakes in the previous year, an increase of 94 rakes. The rise points to greater use of the rail network for moving vehicles from production and industrial hubs to markets.
The Nagpur Division accounted for the largest share of Central Railway’s freight business. It handled 20.31 million tonnes, or 58.90% of the total, and generated Rs 2,072.73 crore, representing 59.87% of overall freight revenue. The Mumbai Division transported 8.56 million tonnes, or 24.83% of the total, and earned Rs 800.49 crore, equivalent to 23.12% of the revenue.
Coal remained the largest freight commodity. Central Railway transported 17 million tonnes of coal in 4,291 rakes, generating Rs 1,556.87 crore. Containers ranked second, with 4.33 million tonnes moved in 3,958 rakes and earnings of Rs 413.43 crore.
Petroleum products accounted for 2.91 million tonnes, while cement movement stood at 2.82 million tonnes. Iron ore, fertilisers, food grains, sugar and onions also formed part of the railway’s freight mix, indicating that the network’s revenue is spread across industrial, energy, agricultural and consumer supply chains.
August was the strongest month in the reported period. Central Railway recorded 6.85 million tonnes of freight loading, its highest August figure in the past 10 years. Monthly loading increased 22% across 2,567 rakes compared with August 2025, while freight revenue rose by more than 17% to Rs 684.78 crore.
The railway attributed the growth to industrial demand and said targeted infrastructure enhancements, expanded terminal capacities and customer-focused logistics solutions were supporting freight movement. The latest figures also underline the operational role of railway divisions beyond passenger services, particularly in moving bulk commodities and manufactured goods over long distances.
Central Railway’s next phase of freight operations will focus on sustaining loading growth through infrastructure improvements, increased terminal capacity and logistics services aimed at freight customers.
