Indian Railways is crucial for transporting bulk commodities which are essential for industry and energy – coal for power plants, iron ore, coking coal and Limestone for Steel industries, finished steel for manufacturing and construction, cement, food grains for national distribution, fertilizers for agriculture, and petroleum products. For long distances and bulk goods, rail transport has been more economical than road transport. This helps reduce overall logistics costs for businesses, making Indian goods more competitive domestically and internationally. Moreover, Railways link the mines, factories, agricultural regions, and ports with markets across the country, enabling seamless supply chains across its vast nationwide network.

During FY 2024-25, Indian Railways achieved approx 1617.38 MT of originating freight loading, as compared to 1590.68 MT achieved during FY 2023-24, registering an incremental loading of 26.70 MT (1.68%).

Loading for domestic Coal registered growth of 7.4% whereas loading for Domestic Container recorded growth of 19.72%. Loading for fertilizer recorded growth of 1.25%. POL loading registered growth of 0.61%. Gunny sacks, Hot Rolled coils, Ceramic Tiles, Wall care putty and Rice are five major commodities in domestic container loading.

In terms of loading achieved by Zonal Railways, Eastern Railway achieved growth of 16.11%. South East Central Railway (SECR) achieved growth of 7.28%. Northeast Frontier Railway achieved growth of 4.21%. Northern Railway achieved growth of 3.89%.  East Central Railway achieved growth of 2.82%. South Central Railway achieved growth of 2.14%. East Coast Railway achieved growth of 1.19%. Southern Railway achieved growth of 0.80%. South Eastern Railway achieved growth of 0.36%.

Due to impressive loading of Coal by Indian Railways, stock at power houses in India reached at 57 MT, which is all time highest.

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Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

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