Indian Railways Loads 145 Million Tonnes Freight in May, Passenger Traffic Crosses 61 Cr
New Delhi, Jun 1 (TNT): Indian Railways recorded freight loading of 145 million tonnes in May 2026, registering a 1.3 per cent increase over the corresponding month last year, even as global geopolitical developments and supply chain disruptions posed operational challenges.
According to the Railway Ministry, the growth was driven by strong performance in iron ore, steel, fertilisers and other goods segments, helping sustain the national transporter’s freight momentum.
Among major commodities, the “Balance Other Goods” category recorded the highest growth of 16 per cent during the month.
Iron ore loading increased by 4.8 per cent, while pig iron and finished steel traffic grew by 3.5 per cent compared to May 2025. Fertiliser loading also rose by 6.2 per cent, reflecting increased movement to support the agricultural sector.
Coal, which continues to account for the largest share of railway freight traffic, registered nearly 1 per cent growth. Railways said it accorded priority to coal transportation to thermal power plants and closely monitored movements across the network to support the country’s energy requirements.
Despite challenges arising from the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia and its indirect impact on logistics and supply chains, Indian Railways maintained uninterrupted transportation of essential commodities through continuous operational monitoring and efficient asset utilisation.
The Railways also stepped up monitoring of domestic and export-import container traffic to facilitate seamless freight movement and maintain supply chain efficiency across regions.
On the passenger front, Indian Railways carried more than 61 crore passengers during May 2026, up from around 59 crore passengers in the corresponding period last year.
The growth was largely driven by the non-suburban segment, where passenger traffic increased by 7.4 per cent, rising from 28 crore to 30 crore passengers.
Officials said the figures reflected continued growth in demand for both short- and long-distance rail travel.
To meet seasonal travel demand, Indian Railways operated a large number of Summer Special Trains across the country during the month.
The national transporter also continued expanding its modern train network.
At present, Indian Railways operates 164 Vande Bharat services, including the recently launched sleeper Vande Bharat service between Howrah and Kamakhya.
The number of Amrit Bharat services has risen to 68, including three new services inaugurated during May.
With steady growth in freight loading and passenger traffic, Indian Railways said it remains focused on supporting economic activity, strengthening logistics efficiency and enhancing connectivity across the country.
TNT KS
