Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) achieved a 3.5% growth in freight loading during the first half of FY 2025–26, driven by major increases in cement, coal, container, and POL transportation, marking a strong boost to Northeast India’s economic growth.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has reported a 3.5 per cent rise in freight loading during the first six months of the ongoing fiscal year 2025–26, demonstrating its continued commitment to strengthening logistics and supporting the economy of India’s north-eastern region. Officials announced the milestone on Sunday, emphasizing that the NFR continues to work round the clock to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of essential commodities to end users.
According to NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the zone successfully loaded a total of 5.55 million tonnes (MT) of freight up to September 2025. This figure marks a 3.5 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, highlighting a steady upward trend in the railway’s operational efficiency and freight handling capabilities.
Surge Across Multiple Commodities
Sharma revealed that September 2025 witnessed substantial growth across several key commodity segments compared to the same month last year. Cement loading recorded an impressive 48.1 per cent rise, while coal loading jumped by a massive 133.3 per cent, reflecting growing industrial demand. The loading of containers increased by 21.4 per cent, and POL (petroleum, oil, and lubricants) showed a 20.1 per cent rise.
In addition, the loading of stone chips doubled — registering a 100 per cent increase — compared to the previous year’s performance. The CPRO noted that such growth patterns underscore the growing industrial and infrastructural activity across the north-eastern states, reflecting the region’s gradual but consistent economic strengthening.
Economic Growth and Regional Impact
The NFR’s consistent increase in freight loading has significantly contributed to both the regional economy and the railway’s revenue. This improvement, officials said, is the result of continued modernization, better operational planning, and the adoption of new technologies aimed at enhancing service reliability and efficiency.
“The consistent growth in freight loading reflects the rising economic activity in the region,” Sharma said, adding that the zone’s proactive efforts are ensuring that industries and consumers in the Northeast have improved access to essential materials.
NFR’s progress aligns with the Indian Railways’ broader mission to make logistics more sustainable, cost-effective, and accessible to remote regions. With the Northeast emerging as a hub for trade and infrastructure development, freight transportation has become a vital lifeline connecting producers and markets.
Molvom Station Joins Freight Network
In a significant development, the newly constructed Molvom railway station in Nagaland began its freight operations in September 2025, marking another step in expanding NFR’s network. On September 24, the station received its first-ever inward rake, consisting of 41 wagons of cement from Telangana. Just days later, on September 29, Molvom dispatched its first outward rake, carrying 42 wagons of stone chips to Jirania in Tripura.
Officials described this as a landmark event, showcasing how new railway links are fostering industrial growth and trade opportunities across the Northeast. The inclusion of Molvom in freight operations represents the increasing connectivity of previously underlinked areas, opening new avenues for local businesses.
Driving Connectivity and Development
Highlighting the broader impact of improved connectivity, Sharma said, “The growing demand for both passenger and freight services demonstrates how railway connectivity is transforming lives in the Northeast.”
Beyond convenience, the expansion of NFR’s freight operations is expected to boost economic growth, market accessibility, and employment generation. Improved logistics infrastructure allows local producers to reach national and international markets more efficiently, while consumers benefit from timely availability of essential commodities.
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The Northeast Frontier Railway operates extensively across the North-eastern states, as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar, serving as a critical transport and trade link between India’s mainland and its north-eastern frontier.
With steady growth, infrastructure expansion, and technological innovation, NFR continues to strengthen its position as a driving force behind the Northeast’s economic transformation, contributing significantly to India’s overall development goals.
