First hydrogen, now LNG: India's railway fuel experiment gets a new twist

Indian Railways has added another alternative-fuel technology to its network with the rollout of the country's first LNG-diesel dual-fuel train. The train was flagged off from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad on September 27, just months after India's first hydrogen-powered train was introduced.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah flagged off the service from Sabarmati as part of several railway projects launched in the Ahmedabad division. The initiative is aimed at cutting diesel consumption and testing alternative fuels for railway operations.

How the LNG-diesel train works

The train has been equipped with a dual-fuel system using two Driving Power Cars (DPCs) at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot. Each power car has a capacity of 1,400 horsepower and has been modified to run on both LNG and diesel.

According to railway trial data, LNG can replace around 40 per cent of the diesel normally consumed by the train. The system can switch to diesel when required, depending on fuel availability.

Before its rollout, the modified power cars underwent more than 2,000 kilometres of field trials to assess their performance and reliability.

The inaugural service operated between Sabarmati and Mahesana Junction. It has eight non-air-conditioned chair-car coaches, although its regular route and operating schedule have not yet been finalised.

LNG could cut diesel use and emissions

The technology is intended to reduce diesel dependence rather than completely replace fossil fuels. Indian Railways expects the LNG-diesel system to lower fuel consumption as well as emissions such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter compared with conventional diesel operations.

LNG, however, remains a fossil fuel. The train therefore cannot be considered a zero-emission service, even though using LNG in place of part of its diesel consumption could reduce certain emissions.

What it means for passengers

For passengers, the immediate change may be less noticeable inside the coaches than in the technology powering the train.

The LNG project is part of Indian Railways' wider effort to reduce diesel use while expanding electrification and testing technologies such as hydrogen and LNG. Together, these initiatives reflect the railway network's attempt to explore multiple alternatives to conventional diesel traction.