Amit Shah to Launch India’s First LNG-Powered Train in Gujarat
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to flag off India's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered train from Sabarmati Station in Gujarat on September 27. The launch is part of a broader package of railway infrastructure projects in the Ahmedabad division valued at over Rs 1,542 crore. This initiative marks a strategic shift for Indian Railways toward cleaner alternative fuels, aiming to reduce dependence on diesel while maintaining engine performance.
Dual-Fuel Technology and Operational Mechanics
The LNG-powered train utilizes a dual-fuel system integrated into two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars (DPCs) at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot. According to railway officials, the technology allows the engine to switch between LNG and diesel based on fuel availability, ensuring operational continuity even if LNG supplies are limited. Each DPC is equipped with a 2,200-litre LNG tank, holding approximately 950 to 1,000 kg of usable fuel, which supports roughly 444 km of daily operation per tank. Field trials exceeding 2,000 kilometres have confirmed that the system can replace up to 40 per cent of diesel consumption without compromising power or reliability.
The organization is advancing toward the subsequent phase involving forty per cent high-speed diesel substitution. Contracts have been awarded for converting ten dual-fuel Driving Power Cars to use compressed natural gas and ten dual-fuel Driving Power Cars to use liquefied natural gas.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Indian Railways projects significant environmental and financial benefits from the adoption of this technology. The use of LNG is expected to lower emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Economically, the transition offers substantial fuel cost savings; trial data indicates an estimated annual saving of Rs 11.9 lakh per DPC, totaling Rs 23.9 lakh for an 8-coach rake. The railway ministry stated that this adoption is a key step toward developing a sustainable and cost-efficient transportation network.
Broader Railway Infrastructure Projects
Beyond the LNG train, the September 27 event includes several major infrastructure developments in the Ahmedabad region. Minister Shah will inaugurate a new WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed, constructed at a cost of Rs 700 crore to service 300 high-horsepower electric locomotives. Other projects include the implementation of an automatic block signalling system across 122.57 km of track and the doubling of the 21-km Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line, which is targeted for completion by March 2028. Additionally, the government is laying the foundation for the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system across 404 km of the Ahmedabad-Palanpur and Ahmedabad-Samakhiyali sections to enhance safety and prevent collisions.