Indian Railways exceed U.S. and Russia in freight volume

By Admin

04 Nov, 2025

In a landmark achievement, Indian Railways has secured the second spot globally in freight transportation, surpassing both the United States and Russia. This milestone marks India’s rise as a global logistics giant, driven by its expanding infrastructure, technological advancements, and strategic policy initiatives.

Indian Railways Strengthen Their Position Through DFC Corridors

The year 2025 stands as a defining period for Indian Railways, with record-breaking performance attributed to the commissioning of two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs)    the Eastern DFC and the Western DFC.

• The Eastern DFC stretches from Ludhiana (Punjab) to Sonnagar (Bihar), while the Western DFC connects Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Mumbai) to Dadri (Delhi).
  
  

• These corridors have transformed freight logistics, carrying 300–325 freight trains daily at speeds of 50–60 km/h, compared to conventional railways operating at just 20–25 km/h.
  
  

• The faster transit time, increased reliability, and enhanced capacity have significantly improved network productivity and delivery efficiency.
  
  

The Government of India continues to make heavy investments in DFCs, viewing them as the backbone of the nation’s long-term economic framework. Beyond speed and volume, the DFCs contribute to reducing logistics costs, lowering CO₂ emissions, and easing road congestion  creating a sustainable and efficient logistics ecosystem.

Indian Railways Drive Industrial Growth and Investment

India’s freight transport volume has witnessed remarkable growth, surging from 1.22 billion tons in 2019 to 1.61 billion tons in 2025. Over 10% of total freight volume is already transported through DFC routes, and with the 2,800 km corridor network expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025, this share is set to grow even further.

These projects have also generated thousands of employment opportunities, enhanced connectivity across industrial clusters, ports, and economic zones, and spurred new industrial investments. The modernization of locomotives, terminals, and signaling systems reflects India’s focus on integrating with global logistics standards.

According to projections, faster freight movement could boost the transport sector’s GDP contribution by 0.5%, inviting greater foreign investment and helping India emerge as a major freight hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Conclusion

The Indian Railways’ unprecedented progress is not just a reflection of infrastructure expansion  it’s a testament to India’s economic transformation and global ambition. With efficient DFC networks, sustainable logistics models, and forward-looking policies, India is paving the way to become one of the most powerful and reliable freight transport networks in the world.