India’s first LNG-powered train was flagged off on 27 September 2026 from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The train uses a diesel-plus-LNG dual-fuel system and runs with two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars converted at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot.
LNG as a Railway Fuel
LNG stands for liquefied natural gas, which is natural gas cooled to a liquid state for storage and transport. In railway applications, LNG can be used in dual-fuel engines that operate with both diesel and LNG, a configuration used in the converted Driving Power Cars of this train.
The system is designed to replace about 40% of diesel consumption. The fuel arrangement is linked with lower emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter in comparison with conventional diesel-only operation.
Train Configuration and Trial Details
The inaugural service was operated as an 8-coach, non-AC chair car train between Sabarmati and Mahesana Junction. Each converted Driving Power Car carries a 2,200-litre LNG tank with about 850-900 kg of usable LNG and a range of around 1,600 km on a full fill.
More than 2,000 km of field trials were completed before the launch. These trials were conducted to test performance and reliability of the converted power cars under operational conditions.
Railway Projects and Related Technologies
The flagging-off was linked with railway development projects valued at over ₹1,472 crore or ₹1,542 crore. The package also included a WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed and the Kavach train protection system.
Kavach is an indigenous automatic train protection system used on Indian Railways to reduce the risk of signal passing at danger and collisions. WAG-12 is an electric freight locomotive class used by Indian Railways for heavy-haul operations.
Important Facts for Exams
- Indian Railways launched its first hydrogen-powered train on 17 July 2026.
- LNG means liquefied natural gas, and it is stored at very low temperature in liquid form.
- The Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot converted the two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars for dual-fuel operation.
- Indian Railways estimated annual savings of about ₹23.9 lakh for an eight-coach rake using the LNG dual-fuel system.
Alternative Fuels in Indian Railways
Indian Railways has been testing alternative propulsion systems such as LNG and hydrogen for rail transport. The LNG train adds to the list of fuel-diversification projects in the railway sector.
