In a significant push toward modernizing national railway infrastructure and enhancing transit security, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple railway development projects worth over ₹1,542 crore in Sabarmati, Gujarat. A major milestone among the launched initiatives is the operational deployment of India’s first LNG-powered train alongside a state-of-the-art WAG-12 electric locomotive maintenance facility. Furthermore, the projects incorporate the expansion of the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, automated signaling infrastructure, and the track-doubling work along the strategic Sabarmati-Sarkhej rail corridor. Addressing railway engineers, local authorities, and transport officials, leadership emphasized that integrating eco-friendly fuels like LNG and expanding advanced safety monitoring protocols are essential steps toward reducing carbon emissions and minimizing collision risks across dense traffic corridors. Transport analysts and infrastructure policy experts noted that large-scale investments in rolling stock maintenance and digital train control systems reinforce long-term operational reliability, support domestic industrial manufacturing, and lay the groundwork for expanding high-capacity freight and passenger operations nationwide.

Multi-Pronged Rail Modernization Drive Launched in Gujarat

Executing a major modernization push for India's railway network, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah dedicated and inaugurated a suite of railway safety, electrification, and line expansion projects valued at ₹1,542.37 crore at Sabarmati, Gujarat. Attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, the event highlighted significant progress toward sustainable energy adoption, high-capacity freight logistics, and advanced train protection technology across the Ahmedabad Railway Division.

The project portfolio combines indigenous safety deployments with alternative fuel innovations, positioning Sabarmati as a critical multimodal transit and logistics hub.

Overview: Key Components of the ₹1,542 Crore Railway Infrastructure Package

Project ComponentFinancial OutlayOperational Scope & Technological Objectives
WAG-12 Maintenance Shed₹700.00 CroreHoming & upkeep facility for 300 high-horsepower (12,000 HP) freight locomotives
Kavach Safety System₹411.00 Crore404 km deployment (Ahmedabad-Palanpur & Ahmedabad-Samakhiyali)
Sabarmati–Sarkhej Doubling₹313.27 Crore21 km line doubling connecting freight nodes to Sarkhej-Dholera SIR
Automatic Block Signalling₹118.83 Crore122.57 km network expansion to optimize route throughput
India's 1st LNG Dual-Fuel TrainPilot DeploymentConverts diesel power cars to LNG dual-fuel, cutting emissions by 40%

Flagging Off India's First LNG-Powered Train and Heavy Freight Infrastructure

A major highlight of the ceremony was the ceremonial launch of India's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) dual-fuel train. Developed at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot, two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars were converted to operate on a diesel-LNG blend. The dual-fuel system substitutes up to 40% of standard diesel consumption with cleaner-burning LNG, offering an operational range of 444 km per fueling cycle while significantly reducing particulate matter, nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$), and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) emissions.

Green Energy Rail Transition (Diesel vs. Dual-Fuel): ---------------------------------------------------- Standard Diesel DPC : 100% Diesel Consumption ──> Higher Carbon/NOx Emissions Converted LNG DPC : 60% Diesel + 40% LNG ──> Lower Fuel Cost & Emission Reductions

Simultaneously, Minister Shah dedicated the ₹700-crore WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed at Sabarmati. Built to service up to 300 heavy-haul 12,000 HP electric locomotives, the facility currently homes 154 units dedicated to powering high-density dedicated freight corridors.

Deploying Kavach Train Protection and Line Capacity Upgrades

To eliminate train collision risks and human-error accidents, the Home Minister laid the foundation stone for the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system across 404 km of track in the Ahmedabad Division. Covering the vital Ahmedabad–Palanpur (157 km) and Ahmedabad–Samakhiyali (247 km) sections, the ₹411-crore installation provides automatic speed braking, direct cab signalling, and anti-collision safeguards.

Furthermore, work commenced on the ₹313.27-crore line doubling project along the 21-km Sabarmati–Sarkhej stretch. Targeted for completion by March 2028, the doubled track will streamline suburban commuter movement while enhancing freight access toward the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR). Complementing this, automatic block signalling across 122.57 km of surrounding sections was operationalized to reduce headway gaps between consecutive trains.