14 Amrit Bharat Services Regularised, 5 New Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals Commissioned; Passenger Traffic Reaches 67.27 Crore in August

New Delhi, September 13, 2026: Indian Railways recorded growth in both passenger movement and freight activity during August 2026, while expanding connectivity through regularised Amrit Bharat services and new freight terminals.

During the month, 14 Amrit Bharat services were regularised from special to regular services, taking the total number of Amrit Bharat services to 86. At the same time, five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) were commissioned, taking the cumulative number of operational GCTs to 149 as of August 31, 2026.

Rail freight loading also increased by 5.4% year-on-year, while passenger traffic rose to 67.27 crore, reflecting sustained demand for rail-based mobility across the country.

Key Highlights

• 137.9 million tonnes of freight loaded in August 2026, up from 130.9 million tonnes in August 2025.
• Freight revenue increased by 6.27% year-on-year.
• 14 Amrit Bharat services regularised, taking the total to 86 services.
• 5 new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals commissioned, taking the total to 149.
• Passenger traffic increased to 67.27 crore from 64.43 crore in August 2025.
• Suburban passenger traffic rose 9.02% to 38.01 crore.
• 144 Rakshabandhan Special train trips operated between August 25 and 31, compared with 48 trips during the corresponding period in 2025.
• Iron ore loading grew 12.1%, clinker 10.4%, domestic containers 9.2% and coal 6%.
• New Amrit Bharat connectivity links regions across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and other parts of India.

Freight Loading Grows 5.4% as Rail Supports Key Supply Chains

Indian Railways loaded 137.9 million tonnes of freight in August 2026, compared with 130.9 million tonnes during August 2025, registering 5.4% year-on-year growth.

Freight revenue also increased by 6.27%, with higher volumes recorded across several major commodity categories.

Iron ore loading registered the highest growth among the highlighted commodities at 12.1%, followed by clinker at 10.4%, domestic containers at 9.2% and coal at 6%. Finished steel loading increased by 4.9%, mineral oil by 3.1% and fertilisers by 1.6%. Balance Other Goods recorded 8.2% growth.

For the hospitality and tourism ecosystem, stronger freight connectivity has an indirect but important role in maintaining the movement of construction materials, food-related commodities, fuel, consumer goods and other supplies between production centres and consumption markets.

Five New Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals Take Network to 149

Indian Railways commissioned five additional Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals during August, expanding the national network to 149 commissioned terminals.

The new terminals are located at:

• Shivlakha, Gujarat
• Nalli, Tamil Nadu
• Shaktinagar, Uttar Pradesh
• Deoragram, Madhya Pradesh
• Brajrajnagar, Odisha

GCTs are designed to bring freight-handling infrastructure closer to production and consumption centres. Greater access to rail-based freight facilities can support faster cargo evacuation and improve connections between industrial locations and the wider logistics network.

For destinations experiencing hotel development, tourism infrastructure expansion and growing commercial activity, improved freight connectivity can also support the movement of construction materials, equipment, packaged goods and other supplies.

14 Amrit Bharat Services Regularised Across Major Travel Corridors

Passenger connectivity received a significant boost in August, with 14 Amrit Bharat services converted from special to regular services, taking the total number of Amrit Bharat services to 86.

The newly regularised services include:

• Subedarganj – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus
• Gorakhpur – Bandra Terminus
• Gorakhpur – Delhi Junction
• Ahmedabad – Bhagalpur
• Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Prayagraj Junction
• Prayagraj Junction – Udhna Junction
• Dhanbad – Coimbatore, among others.

The expanded network strengthens connections between eastern and western India as well as northern and southern travel corridors.

The Gorakhpur–Bandra Terminus and Gorakhpur–Delhi Junction services add further connectivity for Purvanchal and eastern Uttar Pradesh passengers travelling towards major metropolitan centres. The Ahmedabad–Bhagalpur service strengthens the Gujarat-Bihar connection, while the Dhanbad–Coimbatore route links eastern and southern India.

The Prayagraj–Udhna and Prayagraj–Mumbai connectivity also expands long-distance travel options from Uttar Pradesh towards western India.

Passenger Traffic Reaches 67.27 Crore

Indian Railways carried 67.27 crore passengers in August 2026, compared with 64.43 crore during August 2025.

Suburban traffic recorded particularly strong growth of 9.02%, with 38.01 crore suburban passengers travelling during the month, compared with 34.89 crore in August 2025.

The increase highlights the continuing role of railways in daily mobility as well as long-distance travel. For tourism and hospitality businesses, higher rail passenger volumes can translate into greater potential visitor flows to destinations located along major railway corridors, particularly when connectivity is paired with convenient onward road and local transport options.

144 Rakshabandhan Special Train Trips Address Festival Demand

Indian Railways also increased capacity during the Rakshabandhan travel rush.

Between August 25 and 31, 2026, 144 trips of Rakshabandhan Special trains were operated, compared with 48 trips between August 8 and 14, 2025.

Additional festival services provide greater travel capacity during periods when demand for intercity and long-distance journeys rises sharply, particularly for passengers travelling between metropolitan centres and their hometowns.

For the hospitality industry, such seasonal mobility can influence short-stay demand, restaurant footfall, local transportation and visitor movement around major railway-connected cities and destinations.

Impact on Hospitality, Food, Travel & Tourism

The August railway numbers point to three areas of relevance for the wider hospitality and tourism ecosystem:

1. More rail connectivity can widen destination access: Regularised Amrit Bharat services strengthen links between major urban centres and regional destinations, potentially making more cities accessible for leisure, business, family and event travel.

2. Festival capacity can support seasonal travel demand: The increase in Rakshabandhan Special services demonstrates how additional rail capacity is being deployed during peak travel periods. Hotels, restaurants, transport operators and destination businesses can benefit from increased movement when such services connect high-demand corridors.

3. Freight infrastructure supports hospitality supply chains: The expansion to 149 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals can strengthen the movement of goods and industrial inputs. Efficient freight networks are relevant to hotel construction, food distribution, retail supply chains, equipment movement and broader destination infrastructure.

Industry Takeaway

August 2026 saw Indian Railways simultaneously expand passenger connectivity, seasonal travel capacity and freight infrastructure. The regularisation of 14 Amrit Bharat services strengthens long-distance travel options, while 149 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals improve the rail freight ecosystem.

For hospitality and tourism stakeholders, the developments reinforce the importance of monitoring new rail routes, festival services and emerging railway-connected destinations. Improved rail accessibility can influence visitor flows, while stronger freight connectivity can support the infrastructure and supply chains that underpin destination development.

Overall, the August performance reflects the expanding role of Indian Railways in both everyday mobility and the movement of people and goods that supports India’s broader travel, tourism and economic ecosystem.