Indian Railways Expands Passenger Connectivity and Freight Capacity in August 2026; Freight Loading Grows by 5.4% Over August 2025

In August 2026, Indian Railways recorded a 5.4 percent year-on-year growth in freight loading, reaching 137.9 million tonnes compared to 130.9 million tonnes in August 2025, with corresponding freight revenue increasing by 6.27 percent. Key commodities such as iron ore, clinker, domestic containers, and coal drove this growth. Additionally, 5 new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals were commissioned, bringing the cumulative total to 149. On the passenger front, Indian Railways carried 67.27 crore passengers, marking an increase from August 2025, alongside the regularisation of 14 Amrit Bharat services (taking the total to 86) and the operation of 144 trips of Rakshabandhan Special trains during festival demand.