ECoR’s Khurda Road Division becomes fastest in India to handle 200 MT freight this fiscal

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 25, 2025

The Khurda Road Railway Division of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has set a new national benchmark in freight efficiency, emerging as the fastest division in the entire Indian Railways network to handle 200 million tonnes (MT) of freight traffic in the ongoing financial year. The division reached the milestone in just 235 days, as of November 21, 2025 — an achievement that underscores its rising operational prowess and strategic importance.

According to officials, the landmark figure comprises 110 MT of freight loading and 90 MT of unloading, driven primarily by high-volume movement of coal, minerals, steel, and other bulk commodities. This seamless flow of goods across the division highlights its strengthened operational systems, improved rake mobility, and close coordination with major industrial stakeholders.

Strategically positioned as a crucial freight artery, the Khurda Road Division connects some of the region’s most vital industrial hubs, ports, mines, and power plants. Its performance has been instrumental in supporting both regional economic activity and the broader national supply chain.

Railway officials attribute the division’s rapid progress to a series of capacity augmentation measures, including maximised utilisation of existing infrastructure and the adoption of modern operational practices. These improvements have contributed to increased speed, reliability, and efficiency in freight movement —  factors that are further boosting the industry’s preference for rail-based logistics.

With demand for freight services continuing to grow, East Coast Railway has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding infrastructure, enhancing handling capacity, and accelerating reforms aimed at improving logistics efficiency.

The latest milestone, officials said, not only showcases the division’s exceptional performance but also reinforces railways’ role as a safe, reliable, and cost-effective backbone of India’s rapidly evolving transport and logistics ecosystem.