India’s First LNG Train, ₹1,542 Crore Railway Projects in Gujarat Launched

Ahmedabad: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday flagged off the country’s first dual-fuel LNG train and inaugurated several railway infrastructure projects worth more than ₹1,542 crore at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.

The projects include a state-of-the-art WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed at Sabarmati, Automatic Block Signaling (ABS) systems on two railway sections, and the foundation stone for installation of the indigenous Kavach train protection system across 404 km of railway lines in the Ahmedabad Division.

Shah also laid the foundation stone for doubling the 21-km Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line.

India’s first LNG-powered train

The Union Minister flagged off India’s first dual-fuel LNG train, which uses LNG for up to 40% of the fuel requirement of its Driving Power Car (DPC).

The initiative is aimed at reducing diesel consumption and emissions and is part of Indian Railways’ efforts towards cleaner energy and reducing its carbon footprint.

Shah said Indian Railways consumed around 293 crore litres of diesel in 2015-16, which declined to 108 crore litres in 2024-25. He said the Railways is working towards bringing diesel consumption down to zero by 2030.

He also highlighted the expansion of railway electrification, noting that electrification increased from around 75 km annually in 2010-11 to 7,188 km in 2023-24.

₹700 crore WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed

The newly inaugurated WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed at Sabarmati has been established at a cost of approximately ₹700 crore.

The facility has been designed for scientific maintenance of up to 300 high-horsepower WAG-12 electric locomotives, each with a capacity of 12,000 HP.

Speaking about the WAG-12 locomotive, Shah said its twin-section configuration provides 12,000 HP of power and enables a single locomotive to haul loads equivalent to nearly 600 trucks.

He said around 94% of the locomotive’s cost-related work is currently carried out in India, with the target of increasing the level of domestic production to 100% in the coming years.

The locomotives are intended for heavy-haul freight operations and are expected to support more efficient movement of goods over long distances.

Automatic Block Signaling commissioned

An Automatic Block Signaling (ABS) system covering 122.57 km on the Sabarmati-Kalol-Bhandu-Motidau and Sabarmati-Sanand-Jakhvada sections was also dedicated to the nation.

The project was completed at a cost of ₹118.83 crore.

The system enables trains to be operated at safer intervals by automatically managing signaling between trains. It is expected to increase line capacity and improve the punctuality and operational efficiency of trains on the two sections.

Kavach to cover 404-km railway section

The foundation stone was laid for installation of the indigenous Kavach train protection system across a 404-km railway section of the Ahmedabad Division.

The project, costing approximately ₹411 crore, will cover the Ahmedabad-Palanpur and Ahmedabad-Samakhiali routes.

Kavach is designed to reduce the risk of train collisions by automatically applying brakes when prescribed safety conditions are violated. The system is intended to address risks arising from human error, including situations involving signal violations.

Sabarmati-Sarkhej line to be doubled

The foundation stone was also laid for doubling the 21-km Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line.

The project has an estimated cost of ₹313.27 crore and is scheduled for completion by March 2028.

The doubling is expected to increase rail capacity on the section and improve connectivity towards the Sarkhej-Dholera industrial corridor and other developing economic areas of the Ahmedabad region.

Shah highlights transformation of Sabarmati station

Speaking at the event, Shah recalled his earlier journeys through Sabarmati Railway Station and said the station and its surrounding connectivity had undergone significant transformation.

He said the station has been developed with improved passenger facilities and connectivity to the Metro rail, bus services and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (bullet train) station.

Shah also referred to Sabarmati’s historical association with Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom movement, saying the railway infrastructure projects being inaugurated from the location represented another phase of development in the region.

Gujarat railway allocation

Shah also compared railway allocations for Gujarat under different periods of government.

He said Gujarat received ₹589 crore over five years between 2009 and 2014, while the state has been allocated ₹17,366 crore in the Union Budget for 2026-27.

The projects inaugurated or launched at Sabarmati cover railway safety, freight operations, signaling, electrification and connectivity, with the combined investment exceeding ₹1,542 crore.