NEW DELHI: Indian Railways’ earnings from passenger traffic rose 6% to around Rs 80,000 crore in 2025-26, while freight revenue lagged, registering a 1.4% rise to Rs 17.8 lakh crore.The data showed that the national carrier carried a record 741 crore passengers during the last financial year and cargo loading reached an all-time high of 1,670 metric tons, although it was below the target of 1,700 metric tons.Separate data also showed that the railway and road transport ministries have utilized their entire capital expenditure for FY26 of around Rs 5.5 lakh crore.Ministry of Land Transport officials said that the construction of highways reached 9,100 km, and the length of the award of new works reached 6,500 km.
NHAI, which is responsible for construction and maintenance of wider highways, said it has constructed 5,313 km of expressways, about 15% higher than the target of 4,640 km for this year.“Capital expenditure by NHAI in 2025-26 was Rs 2.4 lakh crore. This is about 2.5% higher than the budgetary support. The differential amount was met through NHAI’s own resources,” it said.On Wednesday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnao informed the Rajya Sabha that the national transporter operated 76,352 special trains in the last financial year and freight loading also increased. The freight growth was driven by a 13% increase in fertiliser, iron ore and finished steel transportation, the Railways said in a statement. Iron ore quantities rose by 6.7%, while cement quantities rose by 3.4%, reflecting steady activity in the infrastructure and construction sectors.