Higher freight, revenue, infrastructure growth in 2025–26
Coal being loaded into a railway wagon for transport.
Belagavi
South Western Railway (SWR) recorded strong overall performance in the financial year 2025–26, achieving key milestones in freight loading, revenue generation and infrastructure development, while setting new operational benchmarks.
SWR achieved originating freight loading of 52.46 million tonnes (MT) during the year, showing solid growth across major commodities. The zone also recorded gross revenue of Rs 9,488 crore, up from Rs 8,489 crore in the previous financial year. Originating freight revenue reached Rs 5,347.40 crore, surpassing the previous best of Rs 4,672 crore in 2024–25.
Among the divisions, Hubballi Division was the biggest contributor with 39.5 MT of freight loading, followed by Mysuru Division with 10.59 MT. Bengaluru Division played a key role in passenger services by operating 4,812 Train on Demand (TOD) trips, increasing the speed of 99 trains and contributing nearly 70 per cent of passenger revenue.
Passenger revenue increased to Rs 3,468 crore from Rs 3,172.5 crore in the previous year, with passenger traffic rising to 176.93 million from 165.53 million. Parcel revenue grew to Rs 170.4 crore, while other coaching and sundry revenues also showed steady growth. Ticket-checking revenue increased significantly to Rs 70.76 crore.
With major contributions from coal and iron ore loading from Goa, freight performance saw strong growth in iron ore, pig iron and finished steel, coal, and raw materials for steel plants, leading to an overall 14.9 per cent increase in freight loading. SWR also contributed about 13 per cent to the incremental freight loading of Indian Railways.
In infrastructure development, SWR completed electrification of 53 route kilometres, 78.1 kilometres of doubling, and 24 kilometres of new railway lines. The zone also achieved record earnings of Rs 155.2 crore through scrap sales.
These achievements highlight SWR’s continued focus on improving freight and passenger services and strengthening railway infrastructure across the region.
