Bhubaneswar, February 20: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has recorded impressive growth in freight loading during April–January 2025-26, handling 199.50 Million Tonnes (MT) of major commodities as against 181.24 MT during the corresponding period of 2024-25. This steady increase reflects the Zone’s strong operational performance and its crucial role in supporting key sectors of the economy.
While Coal and Iron Ore continue to remain the mainstay of freight operations, the notable rise in Fertilizer and Food Grain loading highlights ECoR’s growing contribution to strengthening the agricultural supply chain and ensuring national food security.
Fertilizer Loading Registers Significant Surge
Fertilizer loading during April–January 2025-26 increased sharply to 8.22 MT, compared to 5.82 MT during the same period last year.
The growth was primarily driven by enhanced handling at Paradeep and Dhamra Ports in Odisha. Andhra Pradesh also recorded substantial improvement, with fertilizer loading increasing from 2.11 MT to 3.71 MT, supported by efficient evacuation from Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram Ports.
This significant rise reflects East Coast Railway’s focused efforts to ensure timely movement of fertilizers, particularly during peak agricultural seasons. Better rake planning, close coordination with fertilizer companies, and improved terminal efficiency have played a key role in achieving this growth.
Food Grain Movement Strengthens Food Security
Food Grain loading also showed encouraging growth, increasing from 2.37 MT in April–January 2024-25 to 2.73 MT in the current financial year.
Odisha alone contributed 1.82 MT, while Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh also registered improvement. The steady rise in food grain movement reinforces ECoR’s commitment to supporting the Public Distribution System (PDS) and ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential commodities across regions.
Timely rake placement, faster wagon turnaround and priority handling of essential goods have contributed significantly to this performance.
Cement Loading Maintains Positive Momentum
Cement loading rose to 0.89 MT during April–January 2025-26, compared to 0.79 MT during the corresponding period last year. The increase indicates steady demand from the infrastructure and construction sectors and reflects effective coordination between ECoR and cement manufacturers.
POL Traffic Shows Stable Growth
Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants (POL) loading reached 2.70 MT during the current period, up from 2.47 MT last year. Efficient handling at ports and terminals ensured smooth and uninterrupted movement of fuel products, supporting transportation, agriculture and industrial activities.
Finished Steel Records Strong Growth
Finished Steel loading registered a substantial increase, reaching 22.31 MT compared to 17.09 MT during the same period last year. This growth reflects improved production and evacuation from steel plants in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, further strengthening ECoR’s role in supporting the steel industry and allied sectors.
Coal & Iron Ore Continue to Lead
Coal loading reached 131.44 MT, up from 126.64 MT last year, with major contributions from Talcher, Paradeep and Dhamra sectors. Iron Ore loading also increased significantly to 31.22 MT from 26.06 MT, demonstrating ECoR’s continued support to mining and steel industries.
Commitment to Nation Building
The rise in fertilizer and food grain loading highlights East Coast Railway’s commitment not only to industrial development but also to agricultural prosperity and food security. Alongside strong performance in Cement, POL and Finished Steel, ECoR continues to function as a vital logistics backbone for multiple sectors of the economy.
Through sustained infrastructure development, operational improvements and close coordination with stakeholders, East Coast Railway remains dedicated to providing efficient, reliable and timely freight services, contributing meaningfully to the economic growth of Odisha and the nation.
