Union Home and Cooperation
Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the train, which combines liquefied natural gas
(LNG) and diesel propulsion as part of Indian Railways’ efforts to diversify
its fuel use. The eight-coach,
non-air-conditioned chair-car train was assigned the Sabarmati–Mahesana
Junction route for its inaugural journey. Western Railway’s Ahmedabad Division
will operate and maintain the rake.
The approximately 62-km inaugural journey was expected to take around
one hour and 20 minutes. An Ahmedabad Division official told The Indian
Express before the launch that the train’s regular operating route had yet
to be finalised. The project involved
converting two driving power cars, each rated at 1,400 horsepower, to an
LNG-diesel dual-fuel configuration at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot. The converted power cars completed more
than 2,000 km of field trials ahead of the inauguration. Railway estimates
indicate that LNG can substitute approximately 40 per cent of diesel
consumption under the system, reducing the train’s dependence on conventional
fuel. Based on trial data, the
Railways estimates annual savings of approximately ₹11.9 lakh per driving power
car and ₹23.9 lakh for the eight-coach rake.
The introduction of LNG is also expected to reduce carbon dioxide,
nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions. These remain anticipated benefits,
with fuel substitution and cost savings forming the principal operational
objectives of the project.