FAST READ
- Rail freight loading in August 2026: 137.9 million tonnes.
- Year-on-year freight growth: 5.4%.
- Five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals took the cumulative total to 149.
WHY IN NEWS
- Indian Railways reported higher freight loading, new cargo terminals and regularisation of Amrit Bharat services in August 2026.
- The data are relevant to logistics efficiency, multimodal infrastructure, industrial supply chains and affordable passenger connectivity.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- August 2026 freight loading: 137.9 MT.
- August 2025 freight loading: 130.9 MT.
- Absolute increase: 7.0 MT.
- Year-on-year freight growth: 5.4%.
- Freight revenue growth: 6.27%.
- Iron ore loading growth: 12.1%.
- Clinker loading growth: 10.4%.
- Domestic container growth: 9.2%.
- Coal loading growth: 6.0%.
- Finished steel growth: 4.9%.
- New Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals in August: 5.
- Cumulative commissioned GCTs by 31 August: 149.
- Amrit Bharat services regularised in August: 14.
- Total Amrit Bharat services after regularisation: 86.
PRELIMS
- Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals improve last-mile rail freight connectivity.
- Freight loading grew 5.4% year-on-year in August 2026.
- Fourteen Amrit Bharat services were regularised during the month.
QUICK REVISION
- August 2026 freight loading: 137.9 MT.
- August 2025 freight loading: 130.9 MT.
- Absolute increase: 7.0 MT.
- Year-on-year freight growth: 5.4%.
- Freight revenue growth: 6.27%.
- Iron ore loading growth: 12.1%.
- Clinker loading growth: 10.4%.
- Domestic container growth: 9.2%.
PROBABLE OBJECTIVE QUESTION
Consider the following statements regarding Indian Railways in August 2026:
- Freight loading was 137.9 MT.
- Five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals were commissioned.
- The cumulative number of commissioned GCTs fell below 50.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect; the cumulative number of commissioned GCTs reached 149.