India Flags Off First LNG-Powered Train
India has taken another step towards reducing its reliance on fossil fuels in transportation. On September 27, 2026, the country's first LNG-powered train was flagged off from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The train uses a dual-fuel system that combines diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG), allowing it to run on both fuels. The two Driving Power Cars, each with a 2,200-litre LNG tank, carry about 850-900 kg of usable LNG and can travel around 1,600 km on a full fill.
More than 2,000 km of field trials were conducted before the launch to test the performance and reliability of the converted power cars under operational conditions. The trials also showed that the dual-fuel system can reduce diesel consumption by about 40% and lower emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter compared to conventional diesel-only operation.
The inaugural service was operated as an 8-coach non-AC chair car train between Sabarmati and Mahesana Junction. The flagging-off ceremony was linked with railway development projects valued at over ₹1,472 crore or ₹1,542 crore.