Khurda Road division emerges as Indian Railways’ top performer in freight handling

By Admin

04 Dec, 2025

Khurda Road Division has once again cemented its place as the top performer in freight handling across Indian Railways, setting new national records and outperforming every other division in the country. With exceptional operational efficiency and robust cargo management, the Division continues to dominate India’s freight landscape.

The Khurda Road Division of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has registered its highest-ever loading performance, handling a remarkable 209 million tonnes of traffic up to November 2025. This includes 115 million tonnes of loading and 94 million tonnes of unloading. Its outstanding performance ensures it remains firmly at the top, well ahead of other major divisions such as Bilaspur (169.6 MT), Dhanbad (152.8 MT), and Chakradharpur (145.8 MT).

Setting a new national benchmark, the Division crossed 200 million tonnes of freight in just 235 days of the current fiscal year the fastest achievement in Indian Railways history. This breaks its own earlier record of 250 days, set in 2024–25, reinforcing its position as a leader in freight operations.

November 2025 proved to be a milestone month, with the Division recording 14.441 million tonnes of loading the highest-ever for any November. This figure surpasses the previous November records of 12.990 MT (2023), 12.780 MT (2021), and 12.690 MT (2024). For the first time, Khurda Road Division breached the 14-MT mark in November, setting yet another performance milestone.

Freight revenues also displayed strong growth. The Division generated ₹1,370.64 crore in November 2025, compared to ₹1,143.20 crore in November 2024, marking an impressive 19.9% increase. What stands out is that revenue growth outpaced the rise in loading volume, highlighting improved freight mix, better pricing realization, and stronger logistics management.

This exceptional performance comes despite significant challenges. Cyclonic conditions and heavy rainfall impacted operations across the region, but Khurda Road Division ensured uninterrupted freight movement through meticulous planning, efficient coordination, and advanced real-time monitoring systems. The ability to maintain consistency during disruptions showcases the Division’s resilience and operational excellence.

Officials attributed this achievement to optimized rake management, proactive engagement with freight customers, and streamlined terminal operations. The dedication of operating, commercial, and field teams, backed by strong leadership within the East Coast Railway administration, played a crucial role in achieving these record-breaking numbers.

With continuous improvements and a commitment to efficiency, Khurda Road Division remains a national benchmark for freight performance, setting new standards for Indian Railways year after year.