5 GCTs commissioned in August, says Ministry
In August 2026, 5 new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) were commissioned, taking the cumulative number of commissioned GCTs to 149 as on 31 August 2026, the Ministry of Railways said on 13 Sept on an update on its network expansion.
The newly commissioned terminals are:
Shivlakha, Gujarat
Nalli, Tamil Nadu
Shaktinagar, Uttar Pradesh
Deoragram, Madhya Pradesh
Brajrajnagar , Odisha
The GCTs network expansion brings freight-handling facilities closer to production and consumption centres. By enabling more direct and efficient handling of goods, these terminals can reduce avoidable movement, improve logistics efficiency and facilitate faster evacuation of freight from industrial and commercial locations.
The growing GCT network is also helping strengthen the integration of railways with India’s wider logistics infrastructure, giving industries greater access to rail-based freight transportation.
The Railways loaded 137.9 million tonnes of freight during August 2026, compared to 130.9 million tonnes in August 2025, registering a 5.4 per cent year-on-year growth.
The increase in freight movement reflects growing demand from key sectors such as coal, iron ore, steel, fertilizers and other commodities. Higher rail freight movement also helps industries access reliable transportation while supporting the movement of essential commodities across regions.
Several important commodity groups recorded healthy growth during August 2026. Iron Ore loading increased by 12.1 per cent, Clinker by 10.4 per cent, Domestic Container by 9.2 per cent and Coal by 6 per cent. Finished Steel loading increased by 4.9 per cent, Mineral Oil by 3.1 per cent, Fertilizers by 1.6 per cent and Balance Other Goods by 8.2 per cent.
The Railways also recorded 5.4 per cent growth in freight loading, reflecting continued demand from key sectors of the economy. Passenger traffic increased as well, with additional special train services being operated to meet the surge in demand during the festival season.
The growth in these segments strengthens the rail-based supply chain for industries and supports the movement of essential inputs and finished goods across the country. Increased container movement, in particular, supports more efficient transportation of diverse goods through the rail network, the Ministry said.
August 2026 witnessed significant expansion in railway connectivity and services across the country, with Indian Railways recording growth in both passenger movement and freight loading. During the month, 14 Amrit Bharat services were regularised, providing more affordable and comfortable travel options to passengers across several important routes, while 5 new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) were commissioned to improve last-mile freight connectivity for industries.
August 2026 marked a significant expansion of passenger connectivity, with 14 Amrit Bharat services were regularised from special train to regular train during the month, taking the total number of Amrit Bharat services to 86.
The services connect several major cities and regions, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and other important parts of the country.
The Railways carried 67.27 crore passengers during August 2026, compared to 64.43 crore passengers during August 2025.
Suburban passenger traffic recorded particularly strong growth, increasing by 9.02 per cent. A total of 38.01 crore suburban passengers travelled during August 2026, compared to 34.89 crore in August 2025.
The increase reflects the continued importance of the railway network in providing affordable daily mobility to millions of passengers, particularly in densely populated urban and suburban regions. Fiinews.com
