India Rolls Out First LNG-Powered Train Amid Alternative Fuel Push
Indian Railways has introduced its first LNG-diesel dual-fuel DEMU train, marking another step towards alternative fuels in railway operations. The train was launched from Sabarmati in Gujarat on September 27, 2026, and is designed to run on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel.
The new train uses a dual-fuel system, allowing its engine to switch between LNG and diesel depending on operational requirements and fuel availability. Indian Railways has converted two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot for this project. The system is designed to replace around 40% of diesel consumption with LNG.
The train's inaugural run was between Sabarmati and Mahesana Junction, covering a distance of approximately 444 km on a full LNG load. Each Driving Power Car has an LNG tank capacity of around 2,200 litres, holding approximately 950-1,000 kg of usable LNG.