Bhubaneswar: East Coast Railway (ECoR) has achieved an unprecedented freight loading milestone of 200.13 million tons in a remarkably swift 290 days during 2024-25.
This achievement marks the highest-ever freight loading by any zone in the history of Indian Railways, reinforcing ECoR’s leadership in freight transportation and operational excellence.
ECoR reached this landmark on January 15, 2025, surpassing its own record set in the previous fiscal year (2023-24) when it took 295 days to cross 200 million tons, ECoR said in a press release on Thursday.
This year’s feat was accomplished 15 days ahead of last year’s pace and comes on the back of a strong performance in previous years, where it took 366 days (2019-20), 360 days (2020-21), 320 days (2021-22), and 310 days (2022-23) to achieve similar milestones.
During this period, ECoR unloaded a record of 183.5 million tons of freight, further highlighting its remarkable performance in freight handling. Over the period, the zone handled a total of 200.13 million tons, up by 1.6% from 196.779 million tons in the previous fiscal year. The zone’s performance in freight handling remains robust, and it continues to be a crucial enabler of economic growth.
The major commodities loaded by ECoR included:
119.637 MT of Coal
7.67 MT of Raw Materials for Steel Plants
15.991 MT of Pig Iron & Finished Steel
24.426 MT of Iron Ore
0.88 MT of Cement
2.226 MT of Food Grains
5.477 MT of Fertilizers
2.317 MT of Mineral Oil
4.372 MT of Freight in Containers
17.159 MT of Other Goods
Along with this remarkable feat, East Coast Railway has also seen an increase in revenue generation, earning Rs 20,288.041 crore, which represents a 1.28% growth compared to the previous fiscal year.
The achievement of 200 million tons within a span of 290 days is a direct result of East Coast Railway’s meticulous planning, excellent coordination with industries and government entities, and the tireless efforts of its workforce. Under the dynamic leadership of General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal, ECoR has embraced a culture of efficiency, positive thinking, and strategic foresight, making it a model of excellence within the Indian Railways network.
Several key initiatives have been instrumental in achieving this remarkable success, including:
The construction and commissioning of new rail lines, along with the doubling and third & fourth line projects, boosting connectivity across the region.
Linking industries with mineral belts and ports through an expanded rail infrastructure, strengthening the zone’s position as a critical freight hub.
Continued collaboration and planning with various government agencies and industries to ensure the timely and efficient movement of goods.
