Amit Shah Flags Off India's First Dual-Fuel LNG Train
Key Highlights
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off India's first LNG-diesel DEMU train from Sabarmati.
- Integral Coach Factory converted two 1,400 HP power cars following 2,000 km of successful trials.
- Western Railway estimates annual fuel savings of Rs 23.9 lakh for the eight-coach rake.
Indian Railways started the inaugural run of the country's first LNG-diesel dual-fuel DEMU train today. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah flagged off the train from Sabarmati railway station in Gujarat.
The train runs between Sabarmati and Mahesana Junction. Western Railway's Ahmedabad Division will operate and maintain the new service. The train covers a distance of 62 km in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
It stops at stations including Jhulasan, Dangarwa, Ambliyasan, and Jagudan. Passengers will travel in an eight-coach, non-AC chair car setup.
Read More: Kejriwal Demands Arrest of Gyanesh Kumar Amid Election Commission Rift
Chennai's Integral Coach Factory developed this new dual-fuel system. The engine can burn both liquefied natural gas and regular diesel. Train drivers can switch fuels easily depending on availability.
This flexible design helps the train avoid full reliance on LNG supply chains. It also helps Indian Railways cut down on bulk diesel usage.
| Vehicle Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Max Power Output | 400 HP |
| Driving Range / Battery | 000 km |
| Price / Range | Rs 23.9 lakh |
Engineers converted two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars to use this dual system. Before entering regular passenger service, the converted power units completed over 2,000 kilometres of field trials. These tests checked system reliability and road performance under daily operating conditions.
Switching to natural gas delivers direct environmental gains. The system cuts greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. The move also offers clear economic benefits for railway operations.
Western Railway expects the dual-fuel system to save about Rs 11.9 lakh per power car every year. For the full eight-coach rake, total annual savings will reach approximately Rs 23.9 lakh. Officials noted that the Sabarmati to Mahesana route serves as the inaugural run.
Railway authorities will announce the permanent commercial route once they finalise future scheduling plans.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
1
Dislike
Love
1
Funny
Wow
1
Sad
Angry
1
Tech journalist and AI enthusiast who enjoys keeping up with the latest in hardware, processors, emerging AI tools, and software. I like digging into new technology, understanding how things actually work, and following the developments that could shape the way we use technology in the future.
Comments (0)