Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) records 8.4% growth in freight loading in December 2025, driven by sharp rise in cement, fertiliser, and construction materials movement, reflecting strong economic activity and improved logistics performance across the Northeast.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has recorded a significant surge in freight operations, registering an 8.4 per cent increase in freight loading in December 2025, reflecting growing economic activity and improved logistics performance across the Northeastern region. Railway officials said the growth highlights NFR’s continued commitment to timely delivery of essential commodities and infrastructure support.
According to NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the railway zone achieved a total freight loading of 0.952 million tonnes (MT) in December 2025, compared to the same period last year. The rise underscores sustained demand from key industrial and agricultural sectors and improved coordination between stakeholders.
On a cumulative basis, NFR loaded 8.250 million tonnes of freight up to December in the current financial year, surpassing last year’s figure of 7.729 million tonnes, marking a 6.7 per cent year-on-year growth. Officials described the performance as a strong indicator of economic resilience and expanding commercial activity in the region.
Sharp Growth in Key Commodities
Several major commodities recorded remarkable growth during December 2025 when compared to December 2024. Cement loading surged by an impressive 148.0 per cent, driven by increased construction activities, infrastructure projects, and housing demand across the Northeast.
Fertiliser loading witnessed an extraordinary rise of 350.0 per cent, reflecting heightened agricultural requirements and improved supply chain movement ahead of the peak farming season. This sharp increase has played a crucial role in supporting farmers and ensuring timely availability of critical inputs.
In addition, dolomite loading increased by 14.6 per cent, while container traffic recorded a growth of 13.3 per cent, highlighting diversification in freight movement and rising intermodal transportation efficiency.
Construction Materials Drive ‘Others’ Segment
The ‘Others’ category also showed substantial growth, pointing to rising industrial and construction-related demand. Stone chips loading rose by 92.6 per cent, while miscellaneous freight witnessed a massive 350.0 per cent increase during the month.
Railway officials noted that the growth in construction materials signals accelerated development projects, road building, and urban expansion across several Northeastern states. The increased movement of bulk materials has further strengthened NFR’s revenue generation and operational footprint.
Higher Unloading Reflects Improved Network Efficiency
Alongside freight loading, freight unloading across the NFR zone also showed positive momentum. In December 2025, 1,287 freight-carrying rakes were unloaded, marking an 8.7 per cent increase compared to 1,184 rakes unloaded in December 2024.
Officials said the improvement demonstrates better yard management, faster turnaround time, and enhanced coordination with industries and end-users, resulting in smoother logistics flow.
Economic Impact and Revenue Growth
Consistent growth in freight loading is widely seen as a barometer of economic activity. Railway authorities stated that the steady rise in freight movement reflects strengthening industrial output, agricultural distribution, and infrastructure expansion across the Northeast.
The increase has also contributed significantly to NFR’s overall revenue, reinforcing the zone’s role as a critical logistics backbone for one of India’s strategically important regions.
Commitment to Technology and Future Growth
Looking ahead, NFR remains focused on adopting advanced technologies, modern freight terminals, digital monitoring systems, and customer-friendly initiatives to enhance service reliability and efficiency. Sharma said these efforts aim to ensure sustained growth in freight transportation, while meeting evolving market demands.
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Headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, Northeast Frontier Railway operates across all Northeastern states, seven districts of West Bengal, and five districts of North Bihar, making it one of the most geographically diverse railway zones in the country.
Railway officials expressed confidence that continued investment, infrastructure upgrades, and operational reforms will help NFR maintain its growth trajectory and further support regional economic development.
