NE INFRA/BUSINESS BUREAU
CHENNAI, OCT 17
Southern Railway has achieved a remarkable milestone in freight operations, completing the loading of 85 rakes of food grains by October 17, 2025, marking a fourfold increase compared to the same period last year.
🚆 #SouthernRailway Sets a New Record in Freight Loading! 🌾💪
📅 October 2025 (Till 17th)
➡️ 85 Rakes Loaded 🚉 | 2.3 Lakh Tonnes of Paddy 🏗️
🔥 4X Growth compared to October 2024 (21 rakes only!)From the heart of the Delta Districts to every corner of Tamil Nadu, Southern… pic.twitter.com/J57bdf458F
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) October 17, 2025
This accomplishment reflects the Railway’s commitment to meeting the logistics demands of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) and ensuring the timely movement of paddy procured from the delta districts during the current Kuruvai harvest season.
The loading operations were efficiently carried out at Tanjore, Nagapattinam, Nidamangalam, Kumbakonam, Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai, Peralam, Mannargudi, Tirutturaipoondi, Tiruvarur, Pattukottai, Virudachalam, Chengalpattu, and Pudukottai, with the rakes being swiftly dispatched to key destinations such as Madurai, Rajapalayam, Aruppukkottai, Coimbatore, Nagercoil, Salem, Namakkal, and Chennai.
In just the first two weeks of October, Southern Railway transported 2.3 lakh tonnes of food grains, a striking improvement from 21 trains in 2024 and 16 in 2023, highlighting its growing efficiency in agricultural freight logistics.
Expressing pride in the achievement, Southern Railway General Manager R N Singh, said, “This record performance underscores Southern Railway’s unwavering commitment to supporting the state’s food supply chain and rural economy. Our teams have worked round the clock to ensure seamless movement of paddy during the peak harvest period, reflecting both efficiency and dedication.”
He added that Southern Railway continues to align its operations with the needs of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation and the farming community, providing faster turnaround and improved rake availability.
“Our focus remains on reliability, responsiveness, and service excellence. We are proud to be a key link in ensuring food security through efficient rail logistics,” the GM stated.
Echoing this sentiment, a senior freight operations official remarked, “With the Kuruvai harvest at its peak, the sharp rise in freight loading is a clear indication of the trust our customers place in rail transport. We are committed to sustaining this momentum through strategic coordination and operational discipline.”
This milestone strengthens Southern Railway’s reputation as a vital enabler of India’s agri-supply chain, playing a crucial role in connecting Tamil Nadu’s fertile delta regions with major consumption centres across the state.
