en.Wedoany.com Reported - Indian Railways loaded 145 million tonnes of freight in May 2026, an increase of 1.3% compared to the same period last year.

Against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia continuing to put pressure on global supply chains, Indian rail freight still achieved broad-based growth. Iron ore loading rose by 4.8%, pig iron and finished steel grew by 3.5%, and fertilizers increased by 6.2%. The standout "Balance Other Goods" category surged by 16%. Coal, the single largest freight category for railways, maintained steady growth of nearly 1%, with the railway sector prioritizing transportation to thermal power plants to support energy supply.

On the passenger side, the railway network carried over 610 million passengers, up from 590 million in the same period of 2025. Non-suburban travel drove the overall increase, with passenger volume rising from 280 million to 300 million, a gain of 7.4%, reflecting strong demand for both short-distance and long-distance rail travel.

To cope with seasonal passenger peaks, railways deployed summer special trains on major routes. Its premium service network continues to expand: 164 Vande Bharat trains are now in operation, including the newly added Sleeper Vande Bharat train on the Howrah–Kamakhya route. Additionally, the Amrit Bharat train network increased to 68 services after adding three new services in May.

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