Amit Shah Unveils ₹700Cr WAG-12 Loco Shed in Sabarmati
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has marked a major milestone for Indian Railways by inaugurating a massive ₹700 crore WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed at Sabarmati. The high-profile event, held on September 27, 2026, was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, signaling a new era of infrastructure and technological advancement for the region's rail network.
A Massive Hub for WAG-12 Locomotives
The newly developed, state-of-the-art maintenance facility is specifically designed to support the homing and upkeep of high-horsepower electric engines. Key details of the facility include:
- Total Capacity: The shed is engineered to manage up to 300 WAG-12 electric locomotives.
- Current Deployment: As of the inauguration, 154 locomotives are already stationed at the facility.
- Operational Goal: The shed aims to streamline maintenance, ensuring these powerful engines remain in peak condition for heavy-duty operations.
India’s First LNG Dual-Fuel Train Flagged Off
Beyond the locomotive shed, the event witnessed a historic moment in green transportation. Minister Shah flagged off India’s first LNG dual-fuel train, a move set to revolutionize fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability in the sector.
This innovative engine has already completed successful testing over a distance of approximately 2,000 kilometers. The transition to LNG technology is expected to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits, including:
- Fuel Savings: A projected 40% reduction in diesel consumption.
- Cost Efficiency: An estimated annual saving of roughly ₹11.9 lakh per engine.
Broader Railway Transformation and Safety
The Sabarmati project is part of a larger, ambitious package of railway development initiatives valued at over ₹1,500 crore. These projects focus on increasing capacity, improving connectivity, and enhancing passenger safety across the division.
Significant upcoming developments include:
- Line Doubling: The Sabarmati-Sarkhej rail line doubling project, costing ₹313.27 crore, is currently underway with a target completion date of March 2028.
- Enhanced Safety: The implementation of the Kavach safety system across 404 kilometers within the Ahmedabad Division to prevent accidents.
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah highlighted the profound transformation seen in Indian Railways over the past 12 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized that these modern infrastructure projects are crucial for reducing operational costs while significantly lowering the environmental footprint of the nation's transport backbone.