Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Indian Railways Expands Passenger Services as August Freight Loading Rises
Indian Railways carried more people and goods in August 2026 than in the same month last year.
Fourteen Amrit Bharat services became regular trains, bringing the total number to 86.
Five new cargo terminals were also opened to help businesses move goods by rail.
Freight loading rose to 137.9 million tonnes.
Passenger numbers increased to 67.27 crore.
Suburban train use grew especially quickly.
Railways added special trains for people travelling during Rakshabandhan.
There were 144 special-train trips from August 25 to 31.
These changes were intended to provide more travel capacity and improve goods transportation.
Indian Railways regularised 14 Amrit Bharat services in August 2026, bringing the total to 86.
Freight loading increased 5.4% year-on-year to 137.9 million tonnes, while freight revenue rose 6.27%.
Five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals were commissioned, taking the operational total to 149.
Passenger traffic rose to 67.27 crore in August from 64.43 crore a year earlier, with suburban traffic up 9.02%.
Indian Railways operated 144 Rakshabandhan Special train trips from August 25 to 31 to meet festival-season demand.
- Who
- Indian Railways, passengers, and industries using rail freight.
- What
- Indian Railways expanded scheduled passenger services, freight facilities, and festival-season train operations while reporting higher passenger and freight traffic.
- When
- August 2026; Rakshabandhan Special trains operated from August 25 to 31.
- Where
- Across India, including routes connecting Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and other regions.
- Why
- To meet rising passenger and freight demand, improve connectivity, and provide additional capacity during the festival season.
- Amrit Bharat services
- 14 services were regularised in August, taking the total to 86.
- Freight loading
- 137.9 million tonnes in August 2026, up 5.4% from 130.9 million tonnes in August 2025.
- Freight revenue
- Revenue increased 6.27% year-on-year in August.
- Cargo terminals
- Five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals were commissioned, bringing the operational total to 149 as of August 31, 2026.
- Passenger traffic
- Passenger traffic reached 67.27 crore, compared with 64.43 crore in August 2025.
- Suburban traffic
- Suburban passenger traffic rose to 38.01 crore from 34.89 crore, an increase of 9.02%.
- Festival trains
- There were 144 Rakshabandhan Special train trips from August 25 to 31, compared with 48 trips during August 8 to 14, 2025.