Amit Shah to Flag Off India's First LNG-Powered Train from Sabarmati

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will flag off the country's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered train from Sabarmati Station on Sunday, September 27, in a move aimed at expanding the use of cleaner and alternative fuels in Indian Railways and cutting its reliance on diesel.

According to the Ahmedabad Railway Division, this is the first instance of the national transporter deploying an LNG-based fuel system in the Driving Power Cars (DPCs) of a train. The technology is a dual-fuel arrangement that lets the same engine run on either LNG or diesel, depending on which fuel is available.

Two driving power cars converted

Under the project, two DPCs of 1,400 HP each have been converted to an LNG-diesel dual-fuel system. More than 2,000 kilometres of field trials have already been completed on the two converted cars to assess the performance and reliability of the new setup. The system is designed to allow LNG to substitute up to roughly 40 per cent of the diesel used.

How the dual-fuel system works

The train will not run on LNG alone. Its engine can operate on both fuels and switch between them based on availability, which means services can continue even when LNG is not on hand. The arrangement also allows the train to travel longer distances before refuelling.

Each DPC has been fitted with an LNG tank of about 2,200 litres, holding roughly 950–1,000 kg of usable LNG. As per the approved design, a fully loaded tank in one DPC can support around 444 km of daily operation, reducing the need for frequent refuelling stops.

Emission and cost benefits

Indian Railways expects the shift to LNG to lower diesel consumption and emissions from the engine, including pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The initiative is positioned as a step towards more environment-friendly rail transportation.

LNG is also cheaper than diesel, which is expected to bring down fuel costs. Based on trial data, the railways estimates savings of about Rs 11.9 lakh per year from a single DPC, and around Rs 23.9 lakh annually for an eight-coach rake.

Performance unchanged, says Railways

According to Indian Railways, the dual-fuel system has been designed to preserve the power, reliability and operating performance of a conventional diesel engine, delivering fuel savings and lower emissions without compromising the train's functioning.

The railways described the adoption of LNG dual-fuel technology as an important initiative towards clean energy, fuel efficiency, reduced operating costs and environmental protection, adding that it could play a significant role in building a more sustainable rail transportation system in the future.