Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off India’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered train and a WAG-12 electric locomotive at Sabarmati Railway Station in Gujarat on Sunday.
Focus on Modernization and Green Energy
The inauguration was part of a broader Rs 1,472 crore infrastructure package tailored to upgrade facilities in the Sabarmati division. The newly launched projects incorporate line-doubling operations, an automatic signalling system, a dedicated WAG-12 electric locomotive maintenance shed, and the integration of the Kavach train protection system to elevate safety and efficiency across the network.
“Today marks the launch of various Indian Railways projects within the Sabarmati Division. These initiatives address environmental concerns, enhance passenger convenience, and bolster safety,” Shah said.
Phase-Out of Railway Diesel Reliance
Detailing the transition toward sustainable transportation, Shah pointed out that annual diesel consumption across the network dropped from 293 crore litres in 2015-16 to 108 crore litres in 2024-25, with a target to achieve complete zero diesel usage by 2030. Electrification progress saw a parallel increase, growing from 75 km added in 2010-11 to 7,188 km completed in 2023-24, placing total network electrification at 99.6 per cent.
Freight Infrastructure and Financial Allocations
Shah also detailed key updates in freight capacity, pointing to the trial of the long double-stack container train between Mumbai and Vadodara. To manage rising freight movement demands through 2040, approximately 11,000 km of railway corridors are being expanded into four-track networks. Additional operational achievements include a 67 per cent jump in the safety budget, a 66 per cent rise in locomotive production capacity, and local manufacturing of 87 per cent of LHB coaches alongside 97 per cent bio-toilet integration.
The event was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Highlighting financial assistance for state rail infrastructure, Shah noted that Gujarat’s railway budget rose to Rs 17,366 crore for 2026-27, compared to Rs 589 crore provided during 2009-14.
TL;DR
- Amit Shah inaugurated India’s first LNG-powered train at Sabarmati Railway Station in Gujarat.
- Railway projects worth Rs 1,472 crore were launched, including Kavach protection systems and line doubling.
- Indian Railways aims for zero diesel consumption by 2030, down from 108 crore litres in 2024-25.
- Network electrification has reached 99.6 percent, up from 75 km annually in 2010-11 to 7,188 km in 2023-24.
- Successful trials were completed for the Mumbai to Vadodara long double-stack container train.
