East Coast Railway sets freight record, surpasses 250 million tonne
In the financial year 2023-24, spanning from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has achieved a remarkable feat by loading 256.22 million tonne of originating freight. This figure marks an impressive growth of 6.1 per cent compared to the previous fiscal year of 2022-23, surpassing all records held by Indian Railways in freight loading.
Notably, ECoR has secured the distinction of being the first zone to surpass the milestone of 200 million tonne of freight loading for the fifth consecutive time.
During the fiscal year 2023-24, ECoR loaded a diverse range of commodities including coal, raw materials for steel plants, steel, iron ore, cement, food grains, fertilizers, mineral oil, freight in containers, and other goods. The Khurda Road Division emerged as the leading contributor with 159.94 million tonne, followed by Waltair Division with 76.48 million tonne and Sambalpur Division with 19.80 million tonne.
Major contributors to this achievement include the coalfields of MCL at Talcher, ports within ECoR’s jurisdiction, iron ore mines in Bailadila and Keonjhar district, and prominent steel and aluminum companies.
