Mangaluru: The Palakkad division of Southern Railway has closed the financial year 2025-26 on a historic note, achieving a total freight loading of 7.3 million tonnes (MT), the highest in the last decade. The division has exceeded its annual Revenue Budget (RB) loading target of 7.3 MT, marking a significant milestone in its operational history. The division serves as a vital rail corridor spanning the three southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.The achievement represents an 8% growth in tonnage over the previous financial year, alongside a 4.6% increase in freight earnings compared to the same period last year.A record-breaking day on March 31, the final day of the financial year, the division achieved its highest-ever single-day freight loading, moving 50,000 tonnes of freight across 759 wagons. The division recorded 184.2% growth in cement loading over the previous year, the highest such increase seen by any division on Indian Railways. The division handles 10 types of commodities, up from five a year ago. As a result, the dependence on coal has been reduced considerably, from 85% to 69% of the total loading basket.Among all divisions in the Southern Railway zone, the Palakkad division ranks third in total freight loading, following Chennai and Tiruchchirappalli divisions. It also recorded a fertiliser loading of 1.341 MT during this financial year, the highest figure seen in the last decade. This is particularly significant given the vital role fertiliser movement plays in supporting the agricultural economy of the region.
