India’s First LNG-Powered Train to Be Flagged Off Today From Sabarmati
Ahmedabad: India is set to take another step towards cleaner rail transport with the launch of the country’s first LNG-powered train on Sunday. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will flag off the train from Sabarmati Railway Station as Indian Railways begins testing liquefied natural gas as an alternative to conventional diesel.
The India’s first LNG-powered train uses a dual-fuel system that allows its engine to run on both LNG and diesel. The technology is aimed at reducing diesel consumption without affecting the train’s operating performance. Unlike a train that depends entirely on LNG, the dual-fuel system can continue running on diesel when LNG is unavailable, giving Railways greater operational flexibility.
India’s First LNG-Powered Train: How It Works
Under the project, two Driving Power Cars (DPCs) have been converted to the LNG-diesel system. Each DPC has a power output of 1,400 horsepower, while more than 2,000 km of field trials have already been completed to test the technology.
According to Indian Railways, the system can replace up to 40% of diesel consumption with LNG. Each DPC has an LNG tank with a capacity of around 2,200 litres, which can hold approximately 950–1,000 kg of usable LNG. A fully loaded tank is designed to support around 444 km of daily operation, reducing the need for frequent refuelling.
LNG Train Expected to Cut Fuel Costs
The shift to LNG could also reduce the operating cost of diesel-powered services. Based on trial data, Indian Railways estimates annual savings of around ₹11.9 lakh for each DPC. For an eight-coach rake using two DPCs, the estimated annual saving is around ₹23.9 lakh.
The LNG-diesel system is also expected to reduce emissions such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter compared with conventional diesel operation. Railways says the technology has been designed to maintain the power, reliability and performance of the existing diesel engine while lowering fuel consumption.
The Sabarmati project will give Indian Railways operational experience with LNG-based traction and help assess its wider potential. If the technology performs well, the data from the trials could support its use on other suitable diesel-operated railway services in the future.
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