Amit Shah flags off India's first LNG dual-fuel train at Sabarmati

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, 27 September 2026, flagged off India's first LNG-powered train at Sabarmati in Gujarat and launched a set of railway projects with it. The Times of India reported the projects at more than ₹1,542 crore. The Indian Express reported projects worth more than ₹1,472 crore. Both papers describe the same launch. They do not print the same package total. The project-level figures below are the ones each paper stated.

The train uses a diesel and LNG dual-fuel system. Two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot have been converted to run on both fuels. The Times of India reported that LNG can replace nearly 40 per cent of diesel consumption. The Indian Express reported that the system allows LNG to replace around 40 per cent of diesel. Both papers said the change is aimed at cutting diesel use and fuel cost, and at lowering emissions including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

The Indian Express reported further trial figures. More than 2,000 km of field trials have been completed. According to trial data in that report, the estimated saving is around ₹11.9 lakh a year for one Driving Power Car and around ₹23.9 lakh a year for an eight-coach rake. The train is an eight-coach, non-air-conditioned chair car. On the inaugural run it operates between Sabarmati and Mahesana. The Indian Express reported that the regular route has not yet been finalised. The Times of India described the train as among the railway projects Shah launched at Sabarmati, in a package that also covers safety, line capacity and freight.

Shah laid the foundation stone for the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system on 404 km of the Ahmedabad division, The Times of India reported. The Indian Express reported that around ₹411 crore is being spent to equip that length with Kavach. Both accounts split the 404 km into 157 km of the Ahmedabad–Palanpur section and 247 km of the Ahmedabad–Samakhiyali section. The Indian Express spells the second section Samakhiali. Kavach is described as a system designed to help prevent collisions, to protect against overspeeding, and to reduce risks linked to human error.

An automatic block signalling system covers 122.57 km, at a cost of around ₹118.83 crore. The Times of India said it has been introduced on Sabarmati–Kalol–Bhandu Motidau and Sabarmati–Sanand–Jakhwada. The Indian Express spells the first chain Sabarmati–Kalol–Bhandu Motidaur, and says the work is in the Ahmedabad division. Both papers say the system is designed to keep a safe distance between trains and to increase route capacity. The Indian Express also said it is expected to help punctuality.

Shah inaugurated the WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed at Sabarmati, The Times of India reported. Both papers put the cost at around ₹700 crore. The shed is to maintain 300 high-horsepower WAG-12 electric locomotives. Those locomotives are described as having a capacity of around 12,000 HP and as built to haul heavy and long freight trains. The Indian Express said the facility is expected to improve locomotive availability and maintenance, and to support heavy freight.

The Sabarmati–Sarkhej doubling covers 21 km at an estimated ₹313.27 crore, with completion targeted for March 2028. The work includes Sabarmati, Gandhigram, Vastrapur and Sarkhej. The Indian Express reported 16 minor bridges, 13 road underbridges, one major bridge and six level crossings. Both papers said the doubling is expected to improve movement and to strengthen connectivity towards the Sarkhej–Dholera region, and to support industrial and commercial activity there.

What's next

The Indian Express reported that the LNG train's regular route is not yet finalised. The Sabarmati–Sarkhej doubling is targeted for March 2028. The reports give no separate date for the Kavach sections or the signalling beyond the launch and foundation work described above.