New Delhi, September 14, 2026: Indian Railways recorded broad-based growth in passenger services and freight operations during August 2026, with freight loading rising 5.4% year-on-year and the network expanding its passenger connectivity through regularisation of Amrit Bharat services and additional festival-season trains.
During the month, 14 Amrit Bharat services were converted from special to regular services, taking the total number of Amrit Bharat services to 86. At the same time, five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) were commissioned, strengthening rail-based freight connectivity for industries and commercial centres.
Freight Loading Rises 5.4%
Indian Railways loaded 137.9 million tonnes of freight in August 2026, compared with 130.9 million tonnes during the corresponding month last year. The increase represents a 5.4% year-on-year growth.
Freight revenue also increased, rising 6.27% compared with August 2025, signalling continued momentum in the railway's freight business.
The growth was supported by higher movement across several major commodity categories, including coal, iron ore, steel, fertilisers and other goods. Increased rail freight movement provides industries with a large-scale transportation network for moving raw materials, intermediate goods and finished products across the country.
Iron Ore, Coal and Container Traffic Lead Growth
Several key freight segments registered notable increases during August.
Iron ore loading grew 12.1%, while clinker increased 10.4%. Domestic container loading rose 9.2%, and coal loading grew 6%. Finished steel recorded 4.9% growth, mineral oil increased 3.1% and fertiliser loading rose 1.6%.
The Balance Other Goods category also registered 8.2% growth.
The increase in container traffic is particularly significant as it supports the movement of a wider range of commodities through rail-based logistics. Higher loading across industrial commodities also strengthens the role of railways in supporting manufacturing, construction, energy and other economic activities.
Five New Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals Commissioned
Indian Railways commissioned five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals in August, taking the cumulative number of commissioned GCTs to 149 as of August 31, 2026.
The new terminals are located at:
- Shivlakha, Gujarat
- Nalli, Tamil Nadu
- Shaktinagar, Uttar Pradesh
- Deoragram, Madhya Pradesh
- Brajrajnagar, Odisha
The expansion of the GCT network is aimed at bringing modern freight-handling infrastructure closer to production and consumption centres.
Greater access to such terminals can help streamline cargo handling, improve first- and last-mile connectivity and reduce avoidable logistics movement. The network also supports closer integration between Indian Railways and the country's broader multimodal logistics infrastructure.
14 Amrit Bharat Services Made Regular
Passenger connectivity received a further boost during August, with 14 Amrit Bharat services regularised from special to regular operations. The move takes the total number of Amrit Bharat services to 86.
Among the routes covered are:
- Subedarganj–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus
- Gorakhpur–Bandra Terminus
- Gorakhpur–Delhi Junction
- Ahmedabad–Bhagalpur
- Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Prayagraj Junction
- Prayagraj Junction–Udhna Junction
- Dhanbad–Coimbatore
The additional regular services are expected to expand affordable long-distance travel options between major metropolitan centres and regional destinations.
The Gorakhpur–Bandra Terminus and Gorakhpur–Delhi Junction services, for instance, strengthen connections between eastern Uttar Pradesh and two major metropolitan regions. The routes can provide additional travel options for people travelling for employment, education, business and family-related purposes.
Similarly, the Ahmedabad–Bhagalpur service creates a direct rail connection between Gujarat and Bihar, while the Dhanbad–Coimbatore route strengthens connectivity between eastern and southern India.
Services linking Prayagraj with Udhna and Mumbai further expand travel options for passengers travelling from Uttar Pradesh towards western India.
Passenger Traffic Continues to Rise
Indian Railways carried 67.27 crore passengers in August 2026, compared with 64.43 crore in August 2025.
Suburban traffic recorded particularly strong growth, increasing 9.02% year-on-year. Suburban rail services carried 38.01 crore passengers during August 2026, compared with 34.89 crore during the same month last year.
The figures underline the continued importance of the railway network as an affordable and high-volume mode of daily transportation, particularly across India's densely populated metropolitan and suburban areas.
More Special Trains for Festival Travel
Indian Railways also increased the number of special train services to manage the seasonal surge in passenger demand.
During the Rakshabandhan period from August 25 to 31, 2026, the railways operated 144 trips of special trains, compared with 48 trips operated between August 8 and 14, 2025.
The substantially higher number of special train trips provided additional capacity during the festival rush, particularly for passengers travelling to their hometowns and families.
Additional services during peak periods can help distribute passenger demand, ease pressure on regular trains and provide greater flexibility for travellers during major festivals.
Railways Strengthens Passenger and Freight Network
The performance during August reflects Indian Railways' simultaneous focus on expanding passenger services and strengthening freight infrastructure.
The regularisation of Amrit Bharat services is widening affordable long-distance connectivity, while additional festival trains are helping accommodate seasonal passenger demand. On the freight side, higher commodity loading and the expansion of Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are strengthening the railway's role in India's logistics ecosystem.
With continued investment in capacity, connectivity and operational infrastructure, Indian Railways is positioning its passenger and freight networks to handle growing demand while supporting everyday mobility, industrial supply chains and broader economic activity across the country.
