Amit Shah launches rail projects worth over Rs 1,542 Cr, flags off India's first LNG-powered train in Gujarat

NEW DELHI: Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah on Sunday flagged off India’s first LNG-powered train in Gujarat and launched a series of railway projects worth more than Rs 1,542 crore at Sabarmati.

The LNG-based train uses a diesel-LNG dual-fuel system, with two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot converted to run on both fuels. LNG can replace nearly 40 per cent of diesel consumption under the system. The initiative is aimed at reducing diesel use and fuel costs while lowering emissions including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

The train was among several railway projects launched by Shah in Sabarmati, with the package also focusing on railway safety, line capacity and freight operations. 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, estimated to cost around Rs 411 crore, covers 157 km of the Ahmedabad-Palanpur section and 247 km of the Ahmedabad-Samakhiyali section. Kavach is designed to help prevent train collisions, protect against overspeeding and reduce risks linked to human error.

An automatic block signalling system has also been introduced across 122.57 km of railway sections between Sabarmati-Kalol-Bhandu Motidau and Sabarmati-Sanand-Jakhwada at a cost of around Rs 118.83 crore. The system is designed to maintain safe distances between trains and increase route capacity.

Shah also inaugurated the WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed at Sabarmati, built at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crore. The facility will provide maintenance for 300 high-horsepower WAG-12 electric locomotives, which have a capacity of around 12,000 HP and are designed to haul heavy and long freight trains. The Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line doubling project, estimated at Rs 313.27 crore, will cover a 21-km stretch and is targeted for completion by March 2028.

The project covers stations including Sabarmati, Gandhigram, Vastrapur and Sarkhej and includes bridges and road underpasses. The doubling is expected to improve train movement and connectivity towards the Sarkhej-Dholera region while supporting industrial and commercial activity in the area. The projects launched in Gujarat are aimed at improving railway safety, increasing operational capacity and promoting alternative-fuel technology in rail transport.