Amit Shah Launches ₹1,500 Cr Railway Projects & First LNG Train in Ahmedabad
In a massive boost to India's transport infrastructure, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for railway development projects worth over ₹1,500 crore in Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, on September 27, 2026.
The event, attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, marked a historic milestone with the flagging off of India's first train powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from the Sabarmati Railway Station.
A Leap Toward 'Green Railways'
The introduction of the LNG-powered train is a central part of the government's ambitious vision to establish a 'Green Railway' with net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. The Home Minister highlighted the significant strides made in reducing the environmental footprint of the rail sector:
- Diesel Reduction: Annual diesel consumption has plummeted from 293 crore liters to just 108 crore liters.
- Electrification Success: Currently, 99.6% of the Indian Railways network is electrified.
- Rapid Progress: The annual electrification rate has surged from a mere 75 kilometers in 2010-11 to approximately 7,188 kilometers today.
Surpassing Global Standards
During his address, Amit Shah drew a comparison between India and Sweden, noting that while Sweden is currently the only nation with 100% railway electrification, India’s network is ten times larger. He confidently stated that India is on track to surpass Sweden's electrification status by 2030.
Modernizing Locomotive Infrastructure
Beyond the new train services, the inauguration included critical infrastructure upgrades at the Sabarmati Loco Shed. These developments include:
- The opening of a newly constructed WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed.
- The dispatch of high-capacity WAG-12 electric locomotives to bolster both freight and passenger efficiency.
Focus on Safety and Freight
The Home Minister also emphasized the rapid modernization of the network through the implementation of the indigenous Kavach safety system and the expansion of Dedicated Freight Corridors, ensuring both safer journeys and faster goods movement across the nation.