Bhubaneswar, October 8: East Coast Railway (ECoR) has recorded a 3.4 per cent growth in freight loading during the first six months of the financial year 2026-27, loading 120.76 million tonnes (MT) of freight up to September 2026, compared with 116.78 MT during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

The growth reflects sustained efforts by ECoR to streamline freight operations, maintain efficient movement of goods and ensure uninterrupted loading activities. Effective planning, close coordination with stakeholders and efficient management of freight operations across its divisions helped the railway maintain steady freight performance.

Khurda Road leads divisional performance

Among ECoR’s three divisions, Khurda Road Division recorded the highest freight loading at 87.64 MT, registering a growth of 1.7 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

Rayagada Division loaded 19.97 MT, achieving a notable growth of 8.8 per cent, while Sambalpur Division recorded 13.15 MT, registering a growth of 7.3 per cent.

Coal, iron ore drive freight growth

Coal continued to be the major contributor to ECoR’s freight loading. The railway loaded 71.01 MT of coal up to September 2026, compared with 68.46 MT during the same period last year, marking a growth of 3.7 per cent.

Iron ore loading witnessed stronger growth, rising to 19.60 MT from 17.19 MT, an increase of 14 per cent. Container loading also grew by 7.8 per cent to 2.10 MT, while iron and steel loading registered a marginal increase of 0.3 per cent.

Freight unloading grows 10 per cent

ECoR also recorded robust growth in freight unloading during the first half of the financial year. Between April and September 2026, the railway unloaded 109.66 MT of freight, registering a 10 per cent increase over 100.11 MT during the corresponding period of 2025-26.

Khurda Road Division accounted for the highest share of unloading at 78.33 MT, recording an 11 per cent growth. Sambalpur Division unloaded 22.84 MT, registering a growth of 6 per cent, while Rayagada Division recorded unloading of 8.49 MT, up 3 per cent from the previous year.

The continued growth in both freight loading and unloading highlights East Coast Railway’s sustained focus on improving operational efficiency and strengthening freight movement a