Rail Infrastructure Expansion: Amit Shah Launches ₹1,542 Crore Railway Projects in Gujarat
Rail Infrastructure Expansion received a major boost in Gujarat as Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and launched a series of railway projects at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, including India’s first LNG-powered train, a new WAG-12 locomotive maintenance facility, automatic signalling upgrades and the expansion of the Kavach train protection system.
The projects were launched on September 27, 2026, with the overall package reported at more than ₹1,542 crore. The government’s official release separately describes ₹1,472 crore of development works inaugurated or launched at the event, reflecting differences in how the wider project package is being counted across reports.
The initiatives cover railway safety, freight infrastructure, alternative-fuel technology and route capacity in the Ahmedabad division.
India’s First LNG-Powered Train Flagged Off
One of the biggest highlights of the Rail Infrastructure Expansion programme was the launch of India’s first LNG-powered train from Sabarmati Railway Station.
The train uses a diesel-LNG dual-fuel system, with two 1,400-horsepower Driving Power Cars converted at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot. LNG can replace nearly 40% of diesel consumption under the system.
More than 2,000 kilometres of field trials had already been completed before the train was officially launched. According to reported trial estimates, the technology could save approximately ₹11.9 lakh per year for a single Driving Power Car and around ₹23.9 lakh annually for an eight-coach rake.
The initiative is intended to reduce diesel consumption while lowering emissions such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
How the LNG Train Technology Works
The new train does not operate exclusively on LNG.
Instead, its power cars use a dual-fuel configuration that allows diesel and liquefied natural gas to be used together. This gives Indian Railways an alternative-fuel option while retaining diesel capability.
The technology is particularly relevant for railway operations where complete electrification is not immediately available or where alternative propulsion technologies are being evaluated.
The LNG system therefore represents a technology demonstration as well as an operational initiative. Its longer-term impact will depend on fuel availability, operating costs, maintenance requirements and the performance of the technology in regular service.
Kavach Safety System to Cover 404 Kilometres
Another major component of the Gujarat railway programme is the expansion of the indigenous Kavach automatic train protection system.
The foundation stone was laid for Kavach deployment across 404 kilometres of railway network in the Ahmedabad division.
The project covers:
- 157 km of the Ahmedabad-Palanpur section
- 247 km of the Ahmedabad-Samakhiyali section
The project is estimated to cost around ₹411 crore.
Kavach is designed to provide automatic train protection, including assistance in preventing collisions and controlling trains in situations involving overspeeding or other safety risks.
Its deployment forms part of India’s broader effort to expand technology-based railway safety systems.
Automatic Signalling Gets a Major Upgrade
The programme also included the introduction of Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) across 122.57 kilometres of railway sections.
The upgraded signalling covers:
- Sabarmati-Kalol-Bhandu Motidau
- Sabarmati-Sanand-Jakhwada
The system has been developed at an estimated cost of approximately ₹118.83 crore.
Automatic block signalling can allow trains to be managed at shorter and safer intervals by dividing railway routes into signalling blocks. This can improve the utilisation of existing railway infrastructure and potentially increase route capacity.
For a busy railway division, improvements in signalling can be important because capacity depends not only on adding new tracks but also on how efficiently existing lines can be operated.
₹700 Crore WAG-12 Maintenance Shed
A new WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed was also inaugurated at Sabarmati.
The facility has been developed at an estimated cost of ₹700 crore and is intended to support maintenance of high-horsepower WAG-12 electric locomotives.
WAG-12 locomotives are designed for heavy freight operations and have a power output of approximately 12,000 horsepower.
The maintenance facility is expected to support the growing requirements of high-capacity freight operations, particularly as Indian Railways continues to strengthen dedicated freight infrastructure and increase the use of high-power electric locomotives.
Sabarmati-Sarkhej Railway Line to Be Doubled
The railway development package also includes the doubling of the Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line.
The project covers approximately 21 kilometres and is intended to improve the capacity of the route.
Railway-line doubling can allow trains travelling in opposite directions to operate more efficiently and reduce operational constraints associated with single-track sections.
For Gujarat’s expanding passenger and freight network, additional track capacity can support higher train movement while reducing pressure on existing infrastructure.
Focus on Railway Safety and Capacity
The projects launched at Sabarmati address several different aspects of railway infrastructure simultaneously.
The LNG train focuses on alternative fuel technology, while Kavach addresses train safety. Automatic signalling is aimed at improving operational efficiency, and the WAG-12 maintenance shed supports high-capacity freight locomotives.
The Sabarmati-Sarkhej doubling project, meanwhile, focuses on increasing route capacity.
Taken together, these initiatives show that railway modernisation involves more than simply building new tracks. Signalling, safety systems, locomotive maintenance and energy efficiency are also important components of infrastructure development.
Gujarat Gets Another Railway Infrastructure Push
Gujarat has emerged as an important location for freight and industrial railway connectivity because of its ports, manufacturing centres and major economic corridors.
The Ahmedabad division is particularly significant because it connects several important passenger and freight routes.
The projects launched at Sabarmati are therefore expected to strengthen multiple aspects of the regional railway network.
The development of the WAG-12 maintenance facility is particularly relevant to freight movement, while the Kavach and signalling projects address network safety and capacity.
LNG Technology and India’s Railway Energy Strategy
The LNG-powered train also comes as Indian Railways continues to reduce its dependence on diesel.
According to figures presented at the Sabarmati event, railway diesel consumption has fallen substantially over the years as electrification has expanded. News reports citing the event said diesel consumption had declined from 293 crore litres to 108 crore litres.
India’s railway network has also reached a very high level of electrification. The government’s official release and other reports highlighted electrification as a central part of the railway modernisation strategy.
The LNG train is therefore being positioned as an additional technology for reducing conventional diesel use, rather than a replacement for the broader electrification programme.
What the Rail Infrastructure Expansion Means
The Rail Infrastructure Expansion launched at Sabarmati combines several projects with different objectives.
The LNG-powered train provides a demonstration of alternative-fuel technology. The Kavach project expands automatic train protection. Automatic signalling can help improve the utilisation of existing tracks, while the WAG-12 shed strengthens support infrastructure for heavy freight locomotives.
The Sabarmati-Sarkhej doubling project adds physical track capacity to the network.
Together, the projects represent an integrated approach to railway development in the Ahmedabad region.
However, the long-term benefits will depend on project execution, operational performance and the ability of the new systems to work effectively within the wider railway network.
What Comes Next for Gujarat Railways?
The projects launched at Sabarmati are expected to move into their respective implementation and operational phases.
For the LNG train, future performance will provide more information about fuel savings, emissions and maintenance requirements under regular operating conditions.
The Kavach installation across 404 kilometres will expand automatic train protection in the Ahmedabad division, while automatic signalling and the Sabarmati-Sarkhej doubling project are expected to support capacity improvements.
The WAG-12 maintenance shed will also provide dedicated infrastructure for high-powered freight locomotives.
As these projects progress, their combined impact will be measured through improvements in safety, capacity, freight handling and energy efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Rail Infrastructure Expansion project in Gujarat?
The Rail Infrastructure Expansion programme refers to a series of railway projects launched at Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, covering alternative-fuel technology, railway safety, signalling, locomotive maintenance and track expansion.
2. What was launched at Sabarmati?
India’s first LNG-powered train was flagged off from Sabarmati Railway Station, alongside several railway infrastructure projects.
3. How much are the Gujarat railway projects worth?
The wider package has been reported as worth more than ₹1,542 crore, while the government’s official release puts the development works launched at ₹1,472 crore.
4. How does India’s first LNG-powered train work?
The train uses a diesel-LNG dual-fuel system. Two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars have been converted to use LNG alongside diesel, with LNG capable of replacing nearly 40% of diesel consumption.
5. How much diesel can the LNG system replace?
The dual-fuel system is designed to replace approximately 40% of diesel consumption in the converted Driving Power Cars.
6. What is the Kavach railway system?
Kavach is an indigenous automatic train protection system designed to improve railway safety by helping prevent collisions and addressing risks such as overspeeding.
7. How much railway network will receive Kavach?
The Kavach project launched at Sabarmati will cover approximately 404 kilometres in the Ahmedabad division.
8. What is the WAG-12 maintenance shed?
The WAG-12 maintenance shed at Sabarmati is a ₹700 crore facility designed to support maintenance of high-horsepower WAG-12 electric locomotives used for heavy freight operations.
9. What is Automatic Block Signalling?
Automatic Block Signalling is a railway signalling technology that divides a route into sections and helps manage train movements safely and efficiently, potentially allowing greater utilisation of existing tracks.
10. Why is the Sabarmati-Sarkhej doubling project important?
The approximately 21-kilometre doubling project is intended to increase railway capacity on the Sabarmati-Sarkhej route and support more efficient train operations.
