Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone this fiscal year by surpassing 1 billion tonnes of freight ahead of schedule, hitting 1,020 million tonnes as of November 19. This reflects robust economic activity, with daily loadings averaging 4.4 million tonnes, a slight uptick from last year's 4.2 million. Coal remains the dominant cargo at 505 million tonnes, followed by iron ore at 115 million tonnes and cement at 92 million tonnes. From April to October, freight volumes rose to 935.1 million tonnes compared to 906.9 million tonnes previously. The ministry is emphasizing reforms in cement logistics to promote rail transport for bulk materials, aiming to diversify cargo away from coal, cut emissions, and support infrastructure growth while benefiting small businesses through lower costs and better efficiency.