Indian Railways achieved a new record in cargo transport during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The railway network transported a record 1,670 million tonnes (MT) of freight, representing a 3.25% increase over the previous year. The Ministry of Railways emphasized that this growth was largely driven by key sectors such as fertilizers and "pig iron and steel." This reflects both the increasing demand for agricultural inputs across different regions and the continued expansion of industrial activity, particularly in the steel sector. The Ministry also highlighted the crucial role of core infrastructure commodities in sustaining this momentum. Specifically, iron ore transportation increased by 6.74%, reaching 190.12 MT, while cement loading grew by 4.74% to 157.17 MT. These trends indicate ongoing infrastructure development and construction activity across the country, where Indian Railways continues to play a vital role in logistics. The Ministry also noted that this strong performance was complemented by a 4.56% increase in the number of wagons handled, which rose from over 279 lakh in 2024-25 to over 291 lakh in 2025-26.