Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday inaugurated railway development projects worth ₹1,472 crore and flagged off the country’s first LNG-powered train from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He also inaugurated the WAG-12 Maintenance Shed, established for the maintenance of railway locomotive engines. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries were present at the programme.
Addressing the event, Shah said the projects launched in the Sabarmati division focus on environmental sustainability, passenger amenities and railway safety.
₹700 Crore WAG-12 Maintenance Shed Inaugurated
A major component of the development package is the WAG-12 Maintenance Shed, constructed at a cost of ₹700 crore for the maintenance of railway locomotive engines.
Shah highlighted the capabilities of the WAG-12 locomotive, stating that its 12,000-horsepower twin-section capacity enables it to haul nearly as much freight as 600 trucks.
According to Shah:
- Earlier, two locomotives were required for such freight operations.
- A single WAG-12 locomotive can now perform the same task.
- The locomotive represents an important development in Indian Railways’ freight transportation capacity.
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India’s First LNG-Powered Train Flagged Off
Shah also flagged off India’s first LNG-powered train from Sabarmati Railway Station.
The initiative is aimed at reducing dependence on conventional diesel fuel and supporting environmental conservation. The launch is part of the railway sector’s broader focus on alternative fuels and cleaner transportation.
Shah also highlighted the decline in railway diesel consumption, saying that consumption fell from 293 crore litres in 2015-16 to 108 crore litres in 2024-25.
Kavach Safety System and Railway Doubling Projects
Railway safety was another major focus of the projects inaugurated at Sabarmati.
The Kavach train protection system has been introduced on the Sabarmati-Kalol-Sabarmati rail section at a cost of ₹48 crore.
Work has also begun on:
- Implementation of Kavach on the Ahmedabad-Palanpur rail section
- Implementation of Kavach on the Ahmedabad-Samakhiali rail section
- Doubling of the Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line
These projects are aimed at strengthening railway safety and improving rail connectivity in Gujarat.
Sabarmati Railway Station Witnesses Major Transformation
Shah recalled the earlier condition of Sabarmati Railway Station and said the station has undergone significant development in terms of passenger amenities, safety and connectivity.
He said that in the 1980s, passengers had to walk nearly two kilometres from the station even to find a rickshaw.
According to Shah, the development works inaugurated and foundation stones laid during the programme, with a combined cost of ₹1,472 crore, will be significant for the region in the coming years.
He also linked Sabarmati with the legacy of Satyagraha, simple living, rural development and khadi, saying that the process of translating these ideas into action began from Sabarmati.
Shah Highlights Double-Stack Freight Train and Dedicated Freight Corridors
Shah highlighted developments in India’s freight railway network and referred to the successful trial of the country’s first double-stack long-haul container train from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Mumbai, to Vadodara.
He said India has limited rail tracks available for freight transportation and that the successful expansion of double-stack freight trains could significantly increase freight-carrying capacity.
He also said that an 11,000-kilometre-long corridor is being converted into a four-lane network, which he said would facilitate traffic movement towards:
- Delhi-Howrah
- Delhi-Guwahati
Shah also referred to the introduction of Dedicated Freight Corridors, the Rapid Rail System and premium railway stations during the period of the Narendra Modi government.
Railway Electrification Reaches 99.6%, Shah Says
Shah highlighted the pace of railway electrification and said that 99.6% of India’s railway network has now been electrified, with the remaining 0.4% expected to be completed soon.
He compared India’s electrification levels with several other countries, citing:
- China: 92%
- Spain: 68%
- France: 60%
- United Kingdom: 49%
He also said Sweden is the only country to have achieved 100% railway electrification, while its railway network is significantly shorter than India’s.
Shah said that railway electrification increased substantially during the Modi government, citing 7,188 kilometres electrified in 2023-24, compared with 75 kilometres in 2010-11.
Shah Cites Increase in Railway Safety Budget and Locomotive Production
Shah highlighted several railway-sector figures while addressing the gathering.
According to figures cited by him:
- Railway safety budget has increased by 67%.
- Locomotive production capacity has increased by 66%.
- 97% of bio-toilets were installed during the Modi government’s tenure.
- 87% of LHB coaches were manufactured in India during the same period.
- Railway electrification increased from the level prevailing before 2014 to the current 99.6%, according to Shah.
He also credited the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives with supporting greater domestic manufacturing of railway equipment and locomotives.
Gujarat Railway Budget Increased to ₹17,366 Crore for 2026-27
Shah also highlighted the increase in railway allocations for Gujarat.
He said the railway budget for Gujarat during 2009-2014 was ₹589 crore, while the allocation for 2026-27 alone is ₹17,366 crore.
He said the figures indicate a significant change in the pace of railway development in the state.
Shah Criticises Opposition During Address
During his address, Shah also criticised opposition parties and said political statements on development issues should be discussed with facts and figures.
He questioned the opposition about its record during its period in government and made allegations regarding corruption and scams. These were political claims made by Shah during the programme, rather than independently established findings presented in the event’s railway project details.
Shah also claimed that no allegation of corruption had been levelled against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 12 years. This statement was part of his political remarks at the event.
Sabarmati Railway Projects: Key Highlights
The major initiatives highlighted during the programme include:
- ₹1,472 crore: Total development projects inaugurated/foundation stones laid
- ₹700 crore: WAG-12 Maintenance Shed
- ₹48 crore: Kavach implementation on the Sabarmati-Kalol-Sabarmati section
- 12,000 horsepower: Twin-section capacity of the WAG-12 locomotive
- India’s first: LNG-powered train flagged off from Sabarmati
- 11,000 km: Corridor being converted into a four-lane network, according to Shah
- 99.6%: Railway network electrified, according to Shah
The projects collectively focus on railway safety, passenger amenities, freight transportation, infrastructure expansion and cleaner energy use in the Sabarmati division.
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