Amit Shah launches major railway projects in Gujarat: LNG train, WAG-12 loco, Kavach and more

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated multiple significant railway projects worth over Rs 1,542 crore in Gujarat on September 27, 2026. The projects, unveiled at Sabarmati, aim to enhance safety, capacity, freight operations, and alternative fuels usage in the region.

A highlight is the country's inaugural LNG-powered train, featuring a dual-fuel system utilizing LNG to substitute 40% of diesel. Following extensive field trials, it operates between Sabarmati and Mahesana. The train is an 8-coach, non-AC chair car vehicle, with cost savings projected at Rs 11.9 lakh and Rs 23.9 lakh per year for one DPC and an 8-coach rake, respectively.

Another key initiative is the Rs 700 crore WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed in Sabarmati, designed to service 300 WAG-12 HHP electric locomotives. This facility is expected to enhance locomotive availability and maintenance efficiency, supporting heavy freight trains.

Safety enhancements include the Kavach automatic train protection system, covering 404 km of railway sections in the Ahmedabad Division. This system aims to reduce collision risks and expedite train operations. Automatic signalling for 122.57 km of railway sections, including the Sabarmati-Kalol-Bhandu Motidaur and Sabarmati-Sanand-Jakhwada sections, is also underway at Rs 118.83 crore. The project is designed to maintain safe train distances, increase line capacity, and bolster connectivity to the Sarkhej–Dholera region.