Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off India's first LNG-powered train from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad on Sunday, September 27, 2026. This launch signifies a major step for Indian Railways in its transition to cleaner energy sources. Alongside the train, Shah also inaugurated several railway development projects in Gujarat worth a total of ₹1,472 crore, including a new WAG-12 Maintenance Shed for locomotive engines, valued at ₹700 crore.
Push for Cleaner Energy in Railways
The introduction of the LNG-powered train is part of a broader initiative focusing on environmental sustainability, enhanced passenger amenities, and improved railway safety within the Sabarmati division. Shah highlighted the substantial reduction in the Railways' dependence on diesel, with consumption plummeting from 293 crore liters in 2015-16 to 108 crore liters in 2024-25, showcasing a clear shift towards greener operations.
Significant Electrification Milestones Achieved
The Home Minister also underscored the rapid pace of railway electrification under the current government. He noted that while only 75 km of railway lines were electrified in 2010-11, a remarkable 7,188 km were electrified in 2023-24 alone. Currently, 99.6% of the railway network is electrified, with full completion anticipated soon. Shah contrasted India's progress with other nations, citing electrification rates of 92% in China, 68% in Spain, 60% in France, and 49% in the UK. Sweden, with a network one-tenth the size of India's, remains the only country at 100% electrification.
Advancements in Rail Technology and Safety
Beyond electrification, Shah detailed other significant advancements in the railway sector. A powerful 12,000-horsepower twin-section locomotive, capable of hauling freight equivalent to 600 trucks, was commissioned. The 'Kavach' train protection system, an indigenous automatic train protection system, has been introduced on the Sabarmati-Kalol-Sabarmati section at a cost of ₹48 crore, with further implementation underway on the Ahmedabad-Palanpur and Ahmedabad-Samakhiali sections. The doubling of the Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line has also commenced.
Boosting India's Freight Capacity
Efforts to enhance freight movement include the successful trial of India's first double-stack long-haul container train from Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to Vadodara. This innovation could nearly double the country's freight-carrying capacity by optimizing existing rail tracks. Furthermore, an 11,000-km corridor is being upgraded into a four-lane network to facilitate traffic towards major hubs like Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Guwahati, aiming for more efficient logistics.
Modernizing Rail Infrastructure and Innovations
Shah credited the government with establishing Dedicated Freight Corridors, implementing the Rapid Rail System, and modernizing premium railway stations across the country. He also mentioned the recent inauguration of a hydrogen-powered train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, positioning India as one of only four nations globally to possess this advanced and environmentally friendly technology, further cementing its commitment to sustainable transport solutions.