India has flagged off its first LNG-powered train from Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, introducing liquefied natural gas as an alternative fuel for railway operations.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the train on September 27, 2026.
The train uses a diesel-LNG dual-fuel system. Two 1,400-horsepower Driving Power Cars have been converted to run on both fuels.
The system can replace up to around 40% of diesel consumption with LNG. Indian Railways expects the technology to reduce fuel costs and emissions, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
The converted power cars completed more than 2,000 kilometres of field trials to assess the system’s performance and reliability.
The initiative is part of Indian Railways’ efforts to explore alternative fuels and improve energy efficiency in train operations.
