The North Eastern Railway (NER) zone has reported a robust performance in its freight operations, registering significant growth in both loading and revenue for the current financial year. Official figures reveal a steady upward trend, underscoring the zone's strategic efforts to boost its cargo business.
Substantial Revenue from Freight Operations
According to Pankaj Kumar Singh, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NER, the railway zone has earned a substantial Rs 360.81 crore in revenue from freight loading up to the third quarter of the financial year 2025-26. This impressive earning was generated by moving a total of 3.247 million tonnes of freight until December 2025.
The month of December 2025 alone contributed significantly to this tally. NER loaded 0.307 million tonnes of freight, which translated into earnings of Rs 37.043 crore for that single month. These numbers highlight a consistent and strong performance in the core freight segment.
Marked Growth Over Previous Year
The current performance marks a clear improvement compared to the same period in the previous financial year. The zone has achieved a 6.88% increase in freight loading when compared to the April-December period of FY 2024-25. During that corresponding period last year, NER had loaded 3.038 million tonnes of freight.
The growth momentum is also evident on a monthly basis. Freight loading in December 2025 saw a 6.23% rise compared to December of the previous year, when the zone had handled 0.289 million tonnes. This consistent year-on-year growth indicates a strengthening of freight traffic on the network.
Drivers Behind the Success
Railway officials and staff have credited this positive trend to a multi-pronged strategy. A key factor has been the improved facilities offered to traders and industrial units, making rail transport a more attractive and efficient option for them.
Furthermore, systematic and coordinated efforts by the business development units at both the headquarters and divisional levels have played a crucial role. These units have actively worked to attract and retain freight business. CPRO Pankaj Kumar Singh emphasized that the achievement is a direct result of the coordinated efforts of officers and staff across the zone.
Expressing confidence in the sustainability of this trend, Singh stated that the upward trajectory in freight loading is expected to continue in the coming months. This performance is a positive sign for the North Eastern Railway's contribution to the region's logistics and economic landscape.
