Central Railway Records Rs 16,911 Crore Revenue, Introduces New Trains and Expands Infrastructure in FY 25–26

Mumbai, 3rd April 2026: Central Railway reported significant developments in freight operations, passenger services, infrastructure expansion and technology adoption during the financial year 2025–26, General Manager Prateek Goswami said while addressing media persons at the Chintan Conference Hall at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

Principal Heads of Departments, Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai division Hiresh Meena and senior officers were present, while Divisional Railway Managers of Pune, Solapur, Bhusaval and Nagpur divisions joined through video conference along with media representatives from their respective divisions.

The General Manager said Central Railway delivered a multi-dimensional performance during FY 2025–26 with achievements across freight loading, passenger services, infrastructure, technology, energy efficiency and customer-centric initiatives.

Passenger Services and Train Operations

During the financial year, Central Railway introduced seven new trains, including Pune–Ajni Vande Bharat Express, LTT–Saharsa Amrit Bharat Express and Panvel–Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express.

Ten additional suburban services were introduced on the Uran line, increasing total services on the section to 50. AC local services were also introduced on the CSMT–Panvel Harbour section, taking the total number of AC locals on Central Railway to 94.

Central Railway operated 8,840 trips of special trains during FY 2025–26, including 348 festival special trains. For the summer season, 2,169 special trains have been planned between April 15 and July 31, of which 1,359 trains will serve Maharashtra while the remaining will connect other states.

During the year, 76 new halts were provided to trains and seven new stations were introduced, including two in the Mumbai suburban section and five on the Amalner–Beed line. The speed of 77 pairs of trains was increased from 110 kmph to 130 kmph.

Mail and Express train punctuality was recorded at 82.05%, while suburban train punctuality stood at 92.04%.

Freight Loading and Revenue

Central Railway achieved total originating freight loading of 79.34 million tonnes during FY 2025–26. Commodity-wise performance showed growth in several segments, including iron ore, petroleum products, foodgrains, cement, containers, onion and fly ash loading.

The railway zone recorded total revenue of ₹16,911.50 crore during the financial year. Passenger revenue stood at ₹8,123 crore, goods revenue at ₹8,296 crore, parcel and luggage revenue at ₹240.68 crore and ticket checking revenue at ₹251.35 crore.

Central Railway carried 1,643.02 million passengers during the financial year.

Commercial and Customer Initiatives

Central Railway recorded non-fare revenue of ₹134.63 crore. Ticket checking drives detected 41.82 lakh cases, generating revenue of ₹251.35 crore, with 24 staff members collecting more than ₹1 crore each through ticket checking drives.

Restaurant on Wheels facilities were operational at seven stations including Dadar, Pune and Solapur. Under the One Station One Product initiative, 160 stalls were operational at 157 stations, with sales of more than 10.81 lakh items worth ₹4.76 crore.

Digital initiatives included the introduction of the RailOne app integrating multiple railway services, deployment of Mobile UTS Sahayaks and issuance of 15,327 Digital Divyangjan Cards.

Infrastructure Development

During FY 2025–26, Central Railway commissioned 103.58 km of railway lines, including 71.84 km of doubling and 31.74 km of new lines. Over the past five years, the zone has commissioned 1,157.15 km of railway lines.

Major projects commissioned included the Pune–Miraj section and the Jalgaon–Manmad third line project. Yard modernization work was carried out at Karjat, Majri, Tadali, Warora, Multai and Jasai to improve operational efficiency and safety.

Twelve new projects covering 1,480 km have been sanctioned, including third and fourth line corridors.

Safety, Technology and Energy

Under signal and telecommunication upgrades, 3,899 km has been sanctioned for Kavach implementation and 176 locomotives have been equipped with the system. Phase-I trial has been completed on 200 km, along with installation of 30,000 RFIDs and 330 communication towers.

Central Railway reported savings of ₹608 crore through open access power procurement and added 105 MW solar capacity, taking total renewable capacity to 272.4 MW. Around 16% of traction energy is now sourced from renewable energy.

Mechanical and safety initiatives included completion of the SS2 major schedule of a Vande Bharat rake at Matunga Workshop, upgrade of Vande Bharat depots at Wadi Bunder, Ajni and Pune, installation of 73 Hot Axle Box Detectors, AI-based wagon inspection at Panvel and conversion of ICF coaches to LHB coaches.

Fuel savings of about ₹195.5 crore were achieved through Head-On Generation technology.

Kumbh Mela 2027 Preparations

Preparations are underway for the Kumbh Mela 2027 at Nashik, involving 90 projects worth ₹1,455 crore. Development works including stabling lines, new platforms, passenger amenities and infrastructure upgrades are being undertaken at Devlali, Nashik Road, Odha, Kherwadi, Kasbe Sukene, Niphad, Sainagar Shirdi and Igatpuri stations.