Indian Railways has achieved a record-breaking performance in fiscal year 2025, reinforcing its position as one of the largest railway networks globally. The significant strides in freight movement, revenue generation, and infrastructure investment highlight its growing role in India’s economic framework.

Key Achievements

1. Record Freight Loading

• Indian Railways achieved a record freight loading of over 1.61 billion tonnes, surpassing the United States and making it the world’s second-largest railway network in freight movement, with China leading.

2. Financial Performance

• Total Revenue: The railway earned ₹2.62 lakh crore, marking the third consecutive year of breaking even.
• Capital Expenditure: Capital expenditure utilization exceeded budget estimates, surpassing ₹2.65 lakh crore.

3. Passenger Revenue Growth

• Passenger earnings increased to over ₹75,000 crore, although it fell short of the targeted ₹80,000 crore.
• Record passenger numbers were reported, partially driven by major events such as the Kumbh Mela.

4. Surge in Coal Transportation

• 817 million tonnes of coal were transported, up from 781 million tonnes the previous year.
• The increased coal movement ensured better fuel availability for thermal power plants.

5. Expansion in Container and Parcel Movement

• Container transportation rose by 10%, reaching 37.95 million tonnes.
• Parcel movement saw a 29% increase, hitting 1.3 million tonnes, with the number of parcels transported increasing from 31 million to 44 million.

6. Boost in Non-Fare Revenue

• Earnings from non-fare revenue sources, such as scrap sales, exceeded ₹6,500 crore.

Performance Comparison Over Recent Years

Metric	Fiscal Year 2025	Fiscal Year 2024	Fiscal Year 2023
Freight Loading (in million tonnes)	1,610+	~1,500	~1,475
Total Revenue (₹ crore)	2,62,000+	2,33,433	~2,20,000
Passenger Revenue (₹ crore)	75,000+	70,693	~60,000
Coal Transportation (in million tonnes)	817	781	770
Container Movement (in million tonnes)	37.95	34.5	31.5
Parcel Movement (in million tonnes)	1.3	1.0	0.75
Total Capital Expenditure (₹ crore)	2,65,000+	2,50,000	2,20,000

Key Observations

1. Freight Dominance: Indian Railways continues to strengthen its freight operations, overtaking the US and trailing only behind China.
2. Revenue Growth: The total revenue increased by nearly ₹28,000 crore compared to the previous fiscal year, demonstrating strong financial health.
3. Passenger Revenue Challenges: Despite an increase in passengers, the ₹80,000 crore target was not met, hinting at pricing or operational inefficiencies.
4. Coal and Energy Transport: Sustained growth in coal transportation is vital for India’s power sector stability.
5. Operational Efficiency: The rise in container and parcel movement indicates expanding logistics operations and improved efficiency.
6. Infrastructure Investment: The capital expenditure surge reflects major investments in railway modernization and infrastructure projects.

Conclusion

Indian Railways has demonstrated remarkable progress in fiscal 2025, achieving new milestones in freight movement and revenue generation. The consistent increase in coal and container transport, coupled with improved parcel logistics, underscores its role as a critical component of India’s transport infrastructure. However, passenger revenue challenges indicate the need for strategic fare adjustments and service enhancements to reach future targets.