Railways Sets New Record in Freight Movement

Indian Railways is redefining freight transportation in the country and has set a new record in freight movement by providing a speedy, reliable, and affordable end-to-end rail freight solution. By combining advanced infrastructure, high-capacity corridors, and modern operational systems, the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) network is ensuring efficient movement of goods across regions, reducing transit times and costs.

Continuing its trend of seamless high-density freight operations, the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) established a new benchmark of operational efficiency with the highest-ever train interchanges on the DFC network. On Sunday, 5 January 2026, a total of 892 ‘interchange’ trains were handled in a single day between the DFC network and five zones of Indian Railways, marking the highest interchange achieved since commissioning of the corridors. The previous record stood at 865 trains, achieved on 4 January 2026.

This enhanced operational efficiency resulting from record freight interchange is easing congestion on conventional rail lines, which is ensuring more timely and comfortable passenger train services and reducing delays in daily commutes. It is also supporting the economic growth of industries, ultimately benefiting the common man through faster delivery of essential goods and lower logistics costs.

The milestone reflects DFCCIL’s growing operational capacity, strengthened planning framework, and robust traffic management systems. The achievement was enabled through effective regulation of train speeds, maintenance of safe headway, and close coordination between adjoining stations, allowing trains to cross stations in minimal time and ensuring safe, fuel-efficient, and uninterrupted operations even on heavily loaded sections.

The performance was further supported by modern train scheduling tools, real-time traffic monitoring, automated signalling, digital control rooms, and strict safety protocols. Central Control provided network-level planning and supervisory oversight based on inputs from all Operational Control Centres and zonal control offices, ensuring seamless execution across the network.

High-power locomotives played a critical role by hauling long and heavy freight trains at higher average speeds, while strong coordination among loco pilots, assistant loco pilots, and train managers ensured alert, disciplined, and safe operations throughout the day. Strengthened feeder routes and efficient yard management minimised detention, enabling faster entry and exit of trains and timely evacuation of freight.

The record underlines a positive transformation in India’s logistics ecosystem, facilitating faster, safer, and more predictable movement of coal, cement, containers, and agricultural commodities, while easing congestion on the conventional rail network. Other recent high-volume interchange days on the DFC network include 846 trains on 30 March 2025, 830 on 14 September 2025, 820 on 31 March 2025, 812 on 3 January 2026, and 808 on 25 May 2025, reflecting a sustained trend of high-density freight operations.

While Indian Railways continues to efficiently transport millions of passengers to their destinations, it is equally well-equipped to handle high-density freight operations with safety, speed, and reliability. Through modern locomotives, digital monitoring, and streamlined yard and feeder management, the DFC network is enabling faster movement of essential commodities like coal, cement, containers, and agricultural products. This is ensuring a robust supply chain, reducing logistics costs, and contributing to the overall growth of the nation’s economy.