Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah flagged off India’s first LNG-powered train in Gujarat on Sunday and launched a series of railway infrastructure projects with a combined investment of more than ₹1,542 crore at Sabarmati. The initiatives include measures aimed at reducing diesel consumption, strengthening railway safety, increasing route capacity and improving freight operations.

The LNG-based train uses a dual-fuel configuration combining liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel. Two Driving Power Cars at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot, each with a capacity of 1,400 HP, have been modified to operate using either fuel. Under the system, LNG can substitute nearly 40 per cent of diesel consumption.

The initiative is intended to lower dependence on diesel and reduce fuel expenditure while also cutting emissions, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The LNG train forms part of a wider set of railway projects inaugurated in Sabarmati focusing on safety, infrastructure capacity and freight movement.

Kavach System to Cover 404 km

During the programme, Shah also laid the foundation stone for the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system across 404 km of railway network in the Ahmedabad division.

The project has an estimated cost of around ₹411 crore and covers two important sections: 157 km of the Ahmedabad-Palanpur route and 247 km of the Ahmedabad-Samakhiyali route.

Kavach is designed to enhance railway safety by helping prevent train collisions, controlling risks associated with excessive speed and reducing the possibility of accidents caused by human error.

Automatic Block Signalling Added

An automatic block signalling system has also been commissioned across 122.57 km of railway routes covering the Sabarmati-Kalol-Bhandu Motidau and Sabarmati-Sanand-Jakhwada sections.

The project has been implemented at an estimated cost of ₹118.83 crore. The signalling system is intended to maintain appropriate spacing between trains while allowing more efficient utilisation of existing railway routes and increasing line capacity.

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₹700 Crore WAG-12 Locomotive Maintenance Shed

Shah also inaugurated a WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed at Sabarmati, developed at an estimated investment of ₹700 crore.

The facility will undertake maintenance of up to 300 WAG-12 high-horsepower electric locomotives. These locomotives have a power capacity of approximately 12,000 HP and are designed to transport long and heavy freight trains.

Sabarmati-Sarkhej Line Doubling

Another project launched during the programme is the Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line doubling project, which has an estimated cost of ₹313.27 crore.

The project will involve doubling a 21-km railway stretch and is scheduled for completion by March 2028. The work covers stations including Sabarmati, Gandhigram, Vastrapur and Sarkhej, along with the construction of bridges and road underpasses.

The doubling project is expected to facilitate smoother train operations and improve connectivity towards the Sarkhej-Dholera region, while supporting industrial and commercial activity along the route.

The projects launched in Gujarat collectively focus on strengthening railway safety, expanding operational capacity and introducing alternative-fuel technologies into rail transport.

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