India flagged off its first LNG-powered train from Sabarmati, using a dual-fuel system that lets diesel engines run on up to 40% LNG. The converted driving power cars completed over 2,000 km of trials, and the railway estimates annual fuel savings of around Rs 23.9 lakh per eight-coach rake. Each LNG tank holds 850-900 kg of usable fuel, good for roughly 1,600 km of operation. The move is part of India's push to meet 2030 carbon targets, though LNG remains a fossil fuel. The system still uses diesel for the rest, and the emissions reduction comes from substituting a portion of diesel with LNG. The infrastructure for LNG refueling on the rail network is still limited, so the rollout will depend on how quickly that gets built out. For now, it's a practical step to cut fuel costs and emissions on existing diesel trains without a full electrification overhaul.
