Hubballi
The South Western Railway (SWR) has reported a significant rise in freight movement in June 2026, marking one of its strongest performances in recent years. The zone recorded freight loading of 4.18 million tonnes, surpassing the previous best of 3.98 million tonnes achieved in June 2025, registering a growth of 5.2 per cent.
Officials said the achievement represents the highest-ever freight loading recorded for the month of June in SWR’s history. The railway zone also reported improved operational efficiency in wagon handling, with an average of 2,221 wagons loaded per day compared to 2,143 wagons last year, reflecting a 3.6 per cent increase.
Among key commodities, iron ore transport stood at 1.69 million tonnes, showing a growth of 6.3 per cent. Steel movement reached 0.90 million tonnes, increasing by 7.4 per cent. Petroleum oil transport rose to 0.21 million tonnes, marking a sharp 15.8 per cent rise. Cement movement recorded 0.03 million tonnes with a 32 per cent increase, while container traffic also showed steady growth.
The total gross revenue for June 2026 stood at ₹733.23 crore, slightly higher than the previous year with a growth of 1.55 per cent. Freight operations contributed ₹402.61 crore, remaining the primary source of earnings for the railway zone. Passenger segment revenue increased significantly to ₹290.43 crore, registering a strong 15.08 per cent growth.
Passenger traffic also showed an upward trend, with 14.85 million passengers travelling during the month, a growth of 4.36 per cent compared to the previous year. Parcel services contributed ₹14.30 crore, reflecting a 5.30 per cent rise, while other coaching services and miscellaneous earnings contributed additional revenue.
Railway authorities also reported intensified ticket checking operations, during which 58,000 cases were detected, generating ₹4.96 crore in fines. Officials attributed the overall growth to improved freight demand, efficient operations, and increased movement of key industrial commodities across the South Western Railway network.
