The Southeast Central Railway (SECR) has achieved its fastest-ever 100 million tonnes of freight loading, reaching the milestone in just 144 days. This marks a new benchmark for operational efficiency, outpacing previous records of 188 days in 2021-22, 175 days in 2022-23, 164 days in 2023-24, and 151 days in 2024-25.
This performance has particular significance for the steel industry, as a major share of SECR’s freight is linked to steel plants and associated raw materials. Data shows that the loading of raw materials for steelmaking has increased by 12.10 per cent compared with the same period last year. In addition, pig iron and finished steel shipments have risen by 7.56 per cent, underscoring the critical role rail logistics plays in sustaining industrial production.
SECR’s strong showing now positions it as the second-largest contributor to freight operations across Indian Railways, accounting for 15.83 per cent of total loading nationwide. This achievement reflects not only operational efficiency but also the growing demand for faster and more reliable transport of bulk industrial commodities.
For the steel sector, the milestone translates into stronger supply chain resilience. Improved rail logistics allow for faster movement of raw materials to production hubs and quicker delivery of finished steel products to markets, reducing delays and bottlenecks. The enhanced throughput also supports mills in responding more effectively to rising industrial demand, creating a positive ripple effect across downstream sectors such as construction, automotive, and infrastructure.
Industry observers suggest that such advancements in freight handling strengthen India’s industrial backbone by aligning logistics efficiency with the pace of economic growth. SECR’s record underscores the importance of railways as a critical enabler of the steel value chain.
