Revenue-Earning Freight Traffic on Indian Railways

Steady Growth (2004–2015)

Freight grew from 602 MT in 2004–05 to 1,101 MT in 2014–15 — an 83% increase in 10 years. The boom was led by rapid industrialisation with coal, iron ore and cement driving the lion's share of volumes. IR's average freight growth was ~6% annually over this decade.

Plateau Phase (2015–2021)

Growth stalled from 2015–16 to 2019–20 as IR struggled with capacity constraints and rising competition from roads. Loading barely moved from 1,101 MT (2014–15) to 1,208 MT (2019–20). 2020–21 was an anomaly — freight actually grew to 1,231 MT as passenger trains were cancelled, freeing track capacity.

COVID Resilience (2020–21)

Unlike passenger traffic (which collapsed 85%), freight services were never suspended. IR operated special freight trains throughout lockdowns, carrying coal, food grain and medical supplies. 2020–21 saw freight grow 1.9% YoY — IR's social and economic lifeline role in action.

Post-2021 Surge

Freight jumped from 1,231 MT in 2020–21 to 1,670 MT in 2025–26 — a 36% rise in just five years — driven by Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), record coal movement, and aggressive use of DFC capacity. IR targets 3,000 MT by 2027, requiring sustained ~25% further growth.