Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has set a new benchmark by surpassing Rs 2,000 crore in passenger revenue in just 299 days of the 2025–26 financial year, highlighting robust growth in rail traffic and improved services across this zone.
This achievement marks a consistent year-on-year improvement. It had crossed the Rs 2,000 crore mark in 308 days in 2024–25, 331 days in 2023–24, and 365 days in 2022–23.
The ECoR, in a release, attributed the surge in revenue to several passenger-focused measures. These include expanded online ticketing options, better station infrastructure and accessibility, and ongoing enhancements to amenities that make journeys more comfortable and inclusive for all travellers. “To meet peak season demand, 1,523 special trains were operated during festivals and holidays. Capacity was further strengthened through augmentation of 200 Mail/Express trains with 4,050 additional coaches, along with the permanent addition of 19 coaches for sustained service enhancement,” it noted.
This year also saw the introduction of two trains equipped with modern LHB coaches amid ongoing efforts to improve travel safety and comfort. “Network expansion and improved connectivity were achieved with the introduction of three new Express services—Boudh–Bhubaneswar–Boudh Express, Sambalpur–Boudh–Sambalpur Express, and Brahmapur–Udhna–Brahmapur Amrit Bharat Express. Passenger accessibility was further improved by providing additional stoppages to 21 trains, extension of three train pairs, and enhancement of frequency of one train pair.”
Beyond passenger services, the zone recorded a record freight loading of 209.97 million tonnes, registering an 11% growth over the corresponding period of the previous year, while achieving its fastes-ever originating freight earnings of Rs 23,000 crore. Total originating earnings rose from Rs 21,543 crore to Rs 23,595 crore, posting an overall growth of 11.21%, it added.
