Indian Railways Reports Record Freight, Infrastructure Expansion and Digital Progress in FY2025–26
Indian Railways recorded significant operational and infrastructure gains in the financial year 2025–26, with growth in freight transport, passenger services, manufacturing and digital platforms. The Ministry of Railways reported record freight loading, expanded safety systems and continued investment in stations and cargo terminals. These developments, detailed in an official government release, highlight the railway network’s role in strengthening supply chains, improving connectivity and supporting economic activity across the country.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the year saw strong progress across several operational areas, including freight transport, passenger services and infrastructure modernisation. The network operated around 25,000 trains each day, ensuring nationwide connectivity, while additional special trains were introduced during peak travel periods to manage higher passenger demand.
Freight Transport Reaches Record Levels
Freight operations reached a new milestone, with total loading of 1,670 million tonnes during the financial year. The performance reflects the railway system’s capacity to move critical commodities such as coal, cement, fertiliser and food grains at scale.
Efficient rail-based freight movement is central to maintaining supply chains across industries and regions. The continued growth in freight transport also supports broader national economic activity by enabling reliable and cost-effective logistics.
Domestic Manufacturing and Rolling Stock Expansion
Indian Railways also expanded domestic manufacturing under the government’s push for self-reliance. During FY2025–26, the railway system produced 1,674 locomotives and manufactured 6,677 Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) passenger coaches, which are designed to improve safety and passenger comfort.
Passenger services continued to evolve with the introduction of Vande Bharat sleeper trains, extending the reach of the Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat fleets. The new sleeper variants are intended to provide faster and more modern options for long-distance travel.
Expansion of Indigenous Rail Safety Systems
Safety initiatives accelerated through the expansion of the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system. The technology is now operational on more than 3,100 kilometres of railway routes, with work under way to deploy it across an additional 24,400 kilometres.
Kavach is designed to prevent train collisions and enhance operational safety by using automated signalling and braking controls. Its expansion reflects a broader strategy to integrate advanced technologies into railway operations, complementing other digital and data-driven initiatives already underway. Previous efforts have highlighted how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping the rail travel experience in India.
Digital Platforms Improve Passenger Services
Digital transformation remained a key focus for the railway system. The RailOne mobile application, launched in July 2025, provides passengers with a single platform for ticket booking, train information and complaint resolution.
The ministry also introduced measures to improve fairness and transparency in ticketing. More than 30.4 million suspected user accounts were removed from the ticketing system, helping ensure that legitimate passengers have better access to reservations.
These efforts align with wider national initiatives to strengthen digital infrastructure and technology adoption across sectors, including policies supporting innovation and public-sector digital services outlined in India’s recent technology-focused budget initiatives.
Station Modernisation and Logistics Infrastructure
Infrastructure development continued through the commissioning of 35 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, designed to strengthen logistics efficiency and enable better multimodal freight integration.
At the same time, station modernisation progressed under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with 119 stations redeveloped during the year. These upgrades aim to provide improved passenger facilities while modernising key parts of the national rail network.
Improved Connectivity in Strategic Regions
Connectivity improvements were also recorded in strategically important regions. The Bairabi–Sairang rail line extended railway access to Aizawl, strengthening the network across India’s north-eastern states.
Meanwhile, major bridge construction projects have helped support all-weather rail connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir. Enhanced transport links in these regions are expected to support regional development, improve mobility and create broader economic opportunities.
Together, the developments in FY2025–26 illustrate Indian Railways’ continued focus on capacity expansion, safety upgrades, digital services and infrastructure investment as part of efforts to build a more efficient and technologically advanced national transport network.
