Freight wagon market in India set to double by 2031: Report

India’s freight wagon market is set to nearly double by 2031, reaching Rs 250–300 billion from the current Rs 120–140 billion, according to a report by stock market firm SMIFS. The growth will be powered by strong export potential, private sector participation, and rapid technological advancements.

As of 2025, the market is valued at Rs 120–140 billion, largely supported by large-scale procurement by Indian Railways (IR). With a projected CAGR of 10–12%, the sector is expected to expand sharply over the next six years.

The report noted that the government is driving a major transformation in Indian Railways, targeting an increase in its freight share from 27% to 45% by 2030 and doubling freight volumes to 3 billion tonnes by the decade’s end. This push is backed by infrastructure upgrades such as dedicated freight corridors (DFCs), advanced signalling, track modernization, and station redevelopment.

In FY24, IR added 5,300 km of new tracks, accelerating the pace of construction from 4 km per day in 2015 to 14.5 km per day. Over the next five years, an additional 25,000 km will be laid, while 23,000 km of existing tracks are being upgraded for speeds of up to 130 kmph.

This expansion will sharply raise the demand for modern, high-capacity wagons capable of transporting bulk commodities efficiently, reducing turnaround times, and cutting logistics costs. Indian Railways is also investing in maintenance modernization, wagon replacement, improved material handling systems, and stronger IT infrastructure to enhance reliability and operational speed.

With these initiatives, the freight wagon industry is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s logistics transformation and help meet the country’s ambitious freight targets.