Prayagraj: North Central Railway (NCR) recorded an 11% rise in freight loading in Aug, while its cumulative loading during the first five months of 2026-27 grew by 8.2% compared with the corresponding period last year. The Prayagraj Division emerged as the strongest performer, registering a 28.7% increase in freight loading during April-Aug and crossing its target for the period.Originating freight revenue from April-August has been Rs. 1003.74 cr which is a 5.7% growth over the corresponding period of the previous year when NCR earned Rs.949.53 crNCR loaded 1.771 million tonnes (MT) of freight in Aug, compared with 1.596 MT in the same month last year. Between April and Aug, the zone handled 9.015 MT, up from 8.331 MT during the corresponding period of 2025-26, NCR senior PRO Amit Malviya said.The Prayagraj Division accounted for 3.670 MT during the five-month period, against 2.852 MT last year. Its loading was also 2.2% above the target of 3.590 MT. In Aug, the division loaded 0.693 MT, registering a 23.5% year-on-year increase.Jhansi Division recorded 4.063 MT during April-Aug, up 5% from 3.871 MT last year. Its Aug loading increased 14.4% to 0.785 MT. Agra Division contributed 1.282 MT during the five-month period, including 0.293 MT in Aug.The increase has also come with new commodities being added to NCR’s freight basket. For the first time since NCR was formed, dolomite loading began from Maharaja Chhatrasal station in Jhansi Division in April this year. Iron ore loading also started for the first time from Barwa Sagar during the current financial year.NCR’s Business Development Units have also been reaching out to new freight customers. Their efforts helped attract maize traffic from western Uttar Pradesh, with rakes loaded from Etah, Etawah, Mainpuri, Aligarh, Harduaganj, Nibkarori, Hathras, Shikohabad and Mathura. Harduaganj recorded the highest loading with 26.5 rakes, followed by Etah and Mainpuri.The maize consignments were sent to destinations in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana and Punjab, widening NCR’s freight reach beyond its immediate region.NCR general manager Naresh Pal Singh said the growth was supported by better rake planning, efficient route utilisation, regular monitoring of capacity and closer coordination with freight customers.
