India's First LNG-Powered Train Flagged Off from Sabarmati

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Key takeaways

Union Minister Amit Shah flagged off India's first LNG-powered, dual-fuel passenger train from Sabarmati on 27 September 2026.
The train uses a dual-fuel system where cryogenic LNG replaces up to 40% of conventional diesel in two retrofitted 1,400 HP DPCs.
Storing fuel at -162°C in a 2,200-litre insulated tank allows the train to cover 444 km of daily operations.
This green initiative offers estimated annual fuel savings of ₹23.9 lakh per 8-coach train and supports Indian Railways' goal of zero diesel consumption by 2030.
The launch was accompanied by the inauguration of railway projects worth ₹1,472 crore, including the ₹48 crore Kavach safety system on the Sabarmati-Kalol-Sabarmati section.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah flagged off India's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered train from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 27 September 2026.
The minister also launched and inaugurated several railway development projects worth ₹1,472 crore during this event.
These development projects focus on introducing cleaner fuel, improving railway safety, upgrading passenger amenities, and boosting overall connectivity.

This new train is an 8-coach passenger train featuring a non-AC chair car setup.
Indian Railways has introduced an LNG-based fuel system in the train's Driving Power Cars (DPCs) for the very first time.
The train operates on a dual-fuel traction system that combines both diesel and Liquefied Natural Gas.
Engineers at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot retrofitted two 1,400 HP DPCs to run on this dual-fuel technology.
The system uses electronically controlled gas-injection systems to switch smoothly between LNG and diesel without losing engine performance.
The train carries a 2,200-litre insulated tank in each DPC to store LNG in a cryogenic state at -162°C.
This fuel capacity is enough to power the train for about 444 km of daily operations.
The train completed its inaugural run between Sabarmati and Mahesana after undergoing conversion and testing.
Before starting passenger services, the train completed over 2,000 km of mainline trials under different loads to test cryogenic safety, pressure control, and engine reliability.

The dual-fuel system allows LNG to replace about 40% of diesel consumption during operations.
Using LNG helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by lowering carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.
This system lowers operational fuel costs, saving about ₹11.9 lakh per DPC annually, which equals ₹23.9 lakh per 8-coach train.
This project helps Indian Railways move closer to its goal of reaching zero diesel consumption by 2030.
The technology offers a cleaner alternative for non-electrified routes, shunting tasks, and cargo transport while supporting railway electrification and hydrogen initiatives.
By cutting down on diesel use, this initiative helps lower India's dependence on expensive crude oil imports.

The government introduced the Kavach train protection system on the Sabarmati-Kalol-Sabarmati section at a cost of ₹48 crore.
Work for installing the Kavach safety system has also started on the Ahmedabad-Palanpur and Ahmedabad-Samakhiali routes.
The railway department began doubling the Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line to increase track capacity and improve connectivity.
The event highlighted the successful trial of India's first long-haul double-stack container train between Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Mumbai and Vadodara to boost freight capacity.