Synopsis
As of March 15, 2024, Indian Railways has transported a remarkable 1,465.371 MT of freight in FY 2024-25, surpassing last year's total of 1,443.166 MT, with a target of reaching 3,000 MT by 2027. Freight contributes significantly to the railway's revenue, accounting for 65%.Key Takeaways
- Freight loaded in FY 2024-25: 1,465.371 MT.
- Ambitious target of 3,000 MT by 2027.
- Freight contributes 65% of revenue.
- Average of 391 trains operating daily on DFC tracks.
- Locomotive production increased to 1,346 in 2024-25.
New Delhi, March 15 (NationPress) Indian Railways has successfully loaded 1,465.371 metric tonnes (MT) of freight in the financial year 2024-25 to date, an increase from 1,443.166 MT during the entire financial year 2023-24, as per recent statistics from the Ministry of Railways.
With an ambitious goal set, Indian Railways aims to achieve 3,000 MT of freight loading by 2027.
According to the ministry, "Indian Railways is steadily progressing toward its ambitious target of 3,000 MT freight loading, achieving 1,465.371 MT in FY 2024-25 until March 2."
Freight transport remains a crucial pillar for Indian Railways, accounting for nearly 65 percent of its revenue. The primary contributors to this revenue include coal, iron ore, and cement, which together represent over 60 percent of freight loading and income from freight operations.
In the last 11 years, both freight and passenger train movements have seen significant growth, with more than 34,000 km of new railway tracks being laid nationwide. The establishment of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) has also led to faster freight train operations.
In January, the DFC achieved a notable milestone in freight train operations, establishing a new benchmark for India’s logistics and transportation efficiency. The ministry reported that an average of 391 trains operated daily on DFC tracks during the first month of 2025.
The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) recorded an average of 209 trains per day, while the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) saw 182 trains daily.
This success indicates a growing dependency on DFC for effective and efficient freight transport, underscoring its significance in driving industrial and economic development, as stated by a railway official.
By successfully rerouting 100 percent of freight traffic from East Central Railway and North Central Railway to EDFC, the freight corridor has alleviated pressure on adjacent zonal railways, enabling smooth operations of Mahakumbh Special trains on congested routes.
The DFC was instrumental in supporting the Prayagraj Division during the Maha-Kumbh Mela, facilitating the efficient and smooth transport of both passenger and freight trains.
Furthermore, the production of locomotives for Indian Railways has surged to meet the rising demand for additional passenger and freight train services.
During the 2024-25 period until January, Indian Railways manufactured 1,346 locomotives, marking a growth of over 9 percent compared to the 1,235 locomotives produced in 2023-24.
