New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- The Indian Railways achieved a historic milestone in freight earnings, posting Rs.14,100 crore in August-the highest monthly figure to date. This growth was fuelled by strong performance in key sectors like steel and coal, alongside healthy diversification across other cargo categories.

The growth would have been higher but for the modest rise in loading of mineral oil, domestic containers and Exim containers (both export and import).

According to railway ministry data, the total freight volume in August remained buoyant at 130.9 million tonnes, up from 120.6 million tonnes in the same month last year, which translates to 8.5% growth.

The growth has been driven by a 9% growth in freight loading in coal, 22% in fin...