Amit Shah Flags Off India's First LNG Train, Recalls Walking Two Kilometers for a Rickshaw in Sabarmati Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off India's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) train from Sabarmati railway station in Ahmedabad while launching railway development projects worth approximately Rs 1,472 crore. He highlighted major strides in cutting diesel consumption, boosting freight capacity, and modernizing the railway network. A new chapter in the history of Indian Railways unfolded on Sunday when the country's first train powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) was officially flagged off from the Sabarmati railway station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Union Home Minister Amit Shah greenlit the special train, hailing the initiative as a revolutionary step toward environmental conservation and shifting the national railway network toward cleaner, greener energy sources. During the event, the launch of this unique train was accompanied by the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremonies for various other vital railway infrastructure projects in the Sabarmati region. Remembering Sabarmati's Historical Roots and Gandhian Ideals Commencing his address, Amit Shah underscored the historical significance of the land hosting the event. He reminded the audience that Sabarmati is the sacred ground where Mahatma Gandhi championed experiments in satyagraha, simple living, rural development, and khadi. Shah emphasized that it is from this very historic location that new initiatives relating to environmental protection and modern technology are being rolled out across the railway sector. According to him, while some of the newly launched projects are designed to enhance passenger convenience, others focus heavily on safety and environmental preservation. Recalling the Past When Passengers Walked Two Kilometers for a Rickshaw Sharing personal reflections on the transformation of the Sabarmati railway station, Amit Shah drew a vivid contrast with the past. He recalled that back in the 1980s, passengers arriving at the station had to walk nearly two kilometers just to find and board a rickshaw. Illustrating how times have changed, he noted that the exact same station has now transformed into a vital and vibrant hub of a modern transportation network. Today, the location enjoys seamless connectivity encompassing metro rail services, state transport bus terminals, and prospective high-speed rail operations, making daily commutes vastly more convenient for ordinary citizens. Unveiling Railway Projects Worth Over Fourteen Hundred Crores Substantial investments are being channeled into upgrading the Sabarmati railway station and its surrounding vicinities. Amit Shah announced that railway development projects valued at approximately Rs 1,472 crore are being inaugurated and initiated in the area. The collective purpose of these infrastructure endeavors is to expand passenger amenities, reinforce safety protocols, and build robust, uninterrupted transportation connectivity. The overarching government objective is to provide citizens with world-class railway infrastructure that saves time while ensuring a comfortable and secure journey. Dramatic Reduction in Diesel Consumption and Electrification Goals Detailing the railway sector's commitment to ecological sustainability through hard figures, Amit Shah pointed out the steep decline in diesel consumption over recent years. He stated that during the 2015-16 fiscal year, Indian Railways consumed roughly 293 crore liters of diesel, which plummeted to around 108 crore liters by 2024-25. Under visionary government roadmaps, the stated target is to reduce railway diesel consumption completely down to zero by the year 2030. Alongside environmental benefits, this massive shift aims to conserve vital foreign exchange reserves. Furthermore, discussing railway electrification progress, he shared that approximately 99.6 percent of the country's rail network electrification has already been successfully completed, with the remainder slated for completion in the near future. Exploring Hydrogen and Alternative Green Energy Options Beyond LNG Emphasizing that alternative energy adoption is an absolute necessity for the future, Amit Shah shed light on forthcoming technological pipelines. He noted that alongside LNG trains, active work is underway to introduce hydrogen-powered trains in India. With the rollout of hydrogen trains, India joins an elite group of nations actively researching and implementing this cutting-edge technology. Nevertheless, the specific train flagged off at the Sabarmati event operated on LNG propulsion, demonstrating that the railways are pursuing parallel strategies to test multiple alternative fuels and engineering methods. Boasting Freight Capacity Equivalent to Six Hundred Trucks in a Single Engine Highlighting technological breakthroughs aimed at supercharging India's freight transport capabilities, Shah pointed to heavy-duty locomotive examples. Citing the formidable twin-section engine boasting a capacity of 1,200 horsepower, he explained that this single engine delivers freight-hauling capacity roughly equivalent to 600 trucks. He pointed out that previously, moving such massive loads required two separate locomotives working in tandem, whereas a single WAG-12 class engine now effortlessly handles the task. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing trials of double-decker freight trains across the nation, designed to maximize cargo movement efficiency across existing rail corridors. Intensive Focus on Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Guwahati Rail Networks The government is methodically upgrading the nation's busiest rail corridors to handle mounting traffic loads. Amit Shah outlined ongoing efforts to convert the sprawling 11,000-kilometer rail network stretching between Delhi and Howrah, as well as Delhi and Guwahati, into four-lane capacity routes. According to him, this extensive expansion will help manage escalating rail traffic and drastically improve inter-regional connectivity. Projects like dedicated freight corridors, rapid rail transit systems, and modernized railway stations have collectively revolutionized the operational capability of Indian Railways. Targeting One Hundred Percent Indigenous Manufacturing Through Make in India Reiterating the core vision of an self-reliant nation, Shah underscored indigenous manufacturing as a top governmental priority within the railway domain. Based on figures provided by him, approximately 94 percent of locomotives currently manufactured within India are produced locally under the Make in India initiative, with a firm future target to achieve 100 percent domestic manufacturing. Concluding his address, he extended warm congratulations to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the dedicated team of the Sabarmati railway division for successfully executing these innovative initiatives. The deployment of the LNG train from Sabarmati stands as a prime component of this sweeping modernization drive, where the ultimate goals are curbing fuel consumption, lowering pollution, expanding freight bandwidth, and delivering world-class amenities to passengers. What this means for you The launch of India's first LNG train and associated modern infrastructure projects from Sabarmati will bring substantial practical benefits to ordinary commuters and the national transport grid. • Across India: The railway's goal to slash diesel consumption to zero by 2030 will significantly curb environmental pollution and save valuable foreign exchange reserves. Upgraded four-lane corridors and dedicated freight routes will make passenger and cargo transit faster and more reliable. • In Ahmedabad: Projects worth approximately Rs 1,472 crore at Sabarmati station will establish seamless multi-modal connectivity with metro services, bus terminals, and upcoming high-speed rail, easing daily commutes for local residents. Why this happened The aggressive push toward alternative fuels and modernization within Indian Railways is driven by the urgent need to curb emissions and maximize logistical efficiency. • Reducing Fuel Dependency: The steep drop in annual diesel consumption from roughly 293 crore liters in 2015-16 to around 108 crore liters in 2024-25 demonstrates a deliberate government strategy to pivot toward green energy. • Managing Traffic Congestion: Upgrading busy transit corridors like Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Guwahati to four-lane capacities became essential to handle escalating passenger and cargo traffic volumes safely and efficiently. Questions & Answers 1. Who flagged off India's first LNG train? Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off India's first LNG train from the Sabarmati railway station in Ahmedabad. 2. What is the total value of railway projects launched in Sabarmati? Railway development projects worth approximately Rs 1,472 crore were inaugurated and initiated at the Sabarmati railway station. 3. What target has Indian Railways set regarding diesel consumption? The government has set a target to bring railway diesel consumption down to absolute zero by the year 2030. 4. What was the situation at Sabarmati station in the past? In the 1980s, passengers arriving at Sabarmati station had to walk nearly two kilometers just to find a rickshaw. 5. What is the freight hauling capacity of the twin-section engine? The 1,200 horsepower twin-section engine delivers a freight-hauling capacity roughly equivalent to 600 trucks. 6. How much of the railway electrification work has been completed? Approximately 99.6 percent of the country's railway electrification work has already been completed. https://trendkia.com/en/gujarat/amit-shah-ne-desha-ki-pahali-lng-trena-ko-dikhai-hari-jhndi-yada-kiya-purana-daura-39593 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.