The Ministry of Home Affairs announced a major package of railway development projects worth ₹1,472 crore in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Railway Division. Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the country’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered train, a new locomotive maintenance facility, and safety upgrades on multiple rail routes in Ahmedabad. These initiatives aim to reduce environmental impact, improve passenger safety and increase freight capacity across Indian railways.
Key facts
- Total development cost: ₹1,472 crore
- WAG-12 Maintenance Shed cost: ₹700 crore
- Kavach safety system on Sabarmati–Kalol–Sabarmati section: ₹48 crore
- LNG-powered train: first of its kind in India, flagged off from Sabarmati Railway Station
- Double-stack container train trial completed: Mumbai (JNPT) to Vadodara route
- Railway electrification: 99.6 per cent of network completed
- Diesel consumption decline: from 293 crore litres in 2015–16 to 108 crore litres in 2024–25
- Bio-toilet installation: 98 per cent of railway coaches equipped
- LHB coach production increase: 57 per cent under Modi government
- Locomotive production capacity increase: 66 per cent
- Railway safety budget increase: 67 per cent
What is the LNG-powered train?
India has introduced its first liquefied natural gas powered train as part of efforts to reduce diesel consumption and emissions. The LNG train represents a shift towards cleaner fuel alternatives in railway operations. This follows India’s earlier achievement in operating a hydrogen-powered train, making the country one of only four nations worldwide with this capability. The LNG train is expected to contribute significantly to environmental conservation while maintaining operational efficiency on long-distance routes.
The WAG-12 locomotive and freight capacity
The WAG-12 Maintenance Shed, built at a cost of ₹700 crore, is designed to service high-powered locomotive engines. The facility maintains WAG-12 locomotives, which are equipped with 12,000 horsepower twin-section capacity. A single WAG-12 locomotive can haul freight equivalent to nearly 600 trucks, whereas previously two locomotives were needed for the same task. This represents a significant increase in freight-carrying efficiency on Indian railways.
Double-stack freight trains and corridor expansion
India has completed a successful trial run of the country’s first double-stack long-haul container train on the Mumbai (JNPT) to Vadodara route. Double-stack trains can carry containers in two layers instead of one, potentially doubling freight capacity without requiring additional tracks. The government is converting an 11,000-kilometre corridor into a four-lane network to facilitate traffic on the Delhi–Howrah and Delhi–Guwahati routes. This infrastructure upgrade aims to improve goods movement and reduce road congestion.
Kavach safety system expansion
The Kavach advanced train protection system has been installed on the Sabarmati–Kalol–Sabarmati rail section at a cost of ₹48 crore. This collision avoidance system automatically applies brakes if a train approaches signals at unsafe speeds or risks collision. Implementation of Kavach is also underway on the Ahmedabad–Palanpur and Ahmedabad–Samakhiali sections. Additionally, doubling work has commenced on the Sabarmati–Sarkhej railway line to increase capacity and reduce congestion.
Broader railway modernisation context
These projects form part of a larger railway modernisation drive since 2014. Railway electrification has increased from 30 per cent to 99.6 per cent of the network. India electrified 7,188 kilometres of track in a single year (2023–24), compared to 75 kilometres annually in 2010–11. This places India ahead of major European nations: China stands at 92 per cent electrification, Spain at 68 per cent, France at 60 per cent, and the United Kingdom at 49 per cent. The government is working to complete the remaining 0.4 per cent of the network.
Fuel efficiency and sustainability metrics
Railway diesel consumption has fallen significantly from 293 crore litres in 2015–16 to 108 crore litres in 2024–25. Approximately 98 per cent of railway coaches have been equipped with bio-toilets, improving sanitation standards. LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coach production has increased by 57 per cent, and locomotive manufacturing capacity has risen by 66 per cent. The railway safety budget has grown by 67 per cent. These metrics reflect the government’s focus on reducing environmental impact while expanding domestic manufacturing capacity.
What this means for you
Passengers using routes in the Sabarmati division will benefit from improved safety through the Kavach system and enhanced station amenities. Freight operators and businesses shipping goods by rail may see improved capacity and faster movement on newly doubled sections and with high-capacity locomotives. The LNG-powered trains signal potential future cost savings and reduced air pollution from railway operations. The expansion of electrified tracks reduces diesel-powered train operations, supporting India’s environmental commitments.