Indian Railways has set new benchmarks in freight loading and revenue generation for the fourth consecutive year in FY 2025, solidifying its position as a global logistics powerhouse.
With freight volumes surpassing 1.61 billion tonnes, India has now overtaken the United States to become the world’s second-largest rail freight transporter, trailing only China. Officials confirmed that the national transporter’s total revenue reached ₹2.62 lakh crore, marking its third straight year of financial self-sufficiency.
The railway’s capital expenditure utilization also exceeded budget estimates, touching ₹2.65 lakh crore. Despite a record number of passengers, revenue from passenger transport stood at ₹75,000 crore—short of the ₹80,000 crore target set in the budget. The Kumbh Mela played a significant role in boosting ridership.
Coal remained the dominant cargo, with 817 million tonnes transported, up from 781 million tonnes the previous year. This increase has helped enhance coal availability at thermal power plants, with closing stock rising to 57 million tonnes from 50 million tonnes last year.
Container traffic surged 10% to 37.95 million tonnes, while parcel movement witnessed a staggering 29% growth, reaching 1.3 million tonnes. The number of parcels transported jumped from 31 million to 44 million, highlighting Indian Railways’ growing focus on diversified revenue streams.
Among non-fare revenue sources, scrap sales generated over ₹6,500 crore, reflecting ongoing monetization efforts.
With consistent growth across freight, passenger, and auxiliary revenues, Indian Railways continues to strengthen its role as the backbone of India’s logistics ecosystem, reinforcing its commitment to efficiency and affordability.
