East Coast Railway Sets National Record with 100 Million Tonnes Freight in Just 134 Days
Achieves milestone 14 days ahead of last year; registers double-digit growth in key commodities
Bhubaneswar to : The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has created history by becoming the first railway zone in India to achieve 100 million tonnes (MT) of freight loading in just 134 days during the current financial year 2025–26. This performance represents a 10.7% increase over the same period last year and surpasses the previous record of 148 days set in 2024–25.
According to an official press release, ECoR reached the milestone on 12 August 2025—14 days earlier than last year—showcasing its continued growth trajectory and operational efficiency. The achievement highlights the zone’s ability to respond swiftly to growing freight demands while maintaining high service quality.
Major Commodities Drive Growth
Coal, iron ore, and cement emerged as the key drivers behind this accomplishment. ECoR loaded 57.734 MT of coal compared to 55.17 MT during the same period last year, marking a 4.6% rise. Iron ore loading saw an even sharper growth of 19.4%, reaching 25.984 MT against 21.758 MT last year. Cement loading recorded a substantial 32.8% increase, with 0.409 MT moved compared to 0.308 MT in the corresponding period of 2024–25.
Other commodities also posted impressive growth. Food grain loading rose to 1.171 MT from 0.99 MT last year, an 18.3% increase. Fertilizer loading jumped to 2.858 MT from 2.053 MT, registering a remarkable 39.2% growth.
Strategic Planning and Operational Excellence
Officials credited this success to ECoR’s strategic planning, efficient freight operations, and strong coordination with customers. The zone has optimized infrastructure use, streamlined loading and unloading processes, and prioritized commodities with high market demand.
By focusing on sectors like coal, iron ore, cement, and fertilizers—critical to India’s energy and manufacturing needs—ECoR has strengthened its role in supporting industrial growth and ensuring supply chain stability.
National Leadership in Freight Operations
With this achievement, ECoR further consolidates its position as a leader among India’s 17 railway zones. Its contribution is vital not only for meeting regional freight requirements but also for bolstering the national logistics network, which is essential for sustaining economic expansion.
Industry observers note that such milestones are likely to encourage other zones to adopt similar strategies, potentially leading to a more competitive and efficient freight ecosystem across Indian Railways.
This record-setting performance also aligns with broader national goals of enhancing freight capacity and shifting more cargo movement from road to rail, reducing carbon emissions and lowering logistics costs.
ECoR’s latest success underscores its importance as a key driver of India’s freight sector and sets a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, and customer service in the country’s railway network.
