Indian Railways Pioneers LNG-Diesel Dual-Fuel DEMU Technology in Ahmedabad
In a groundbreaking development for India's rail infrastructure, the Integrated Coaching Depot (ICD) in Sabarmati, Ahmedabad has successfully modified Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) trains to operate on a dual-fuel system. This marks the first time Indian Railways has implemented LNG–diesel dual-fuel technology in DEMU operations, representing a significant milestone in the pursuit of cleaner and more cost-efficient rail transport across the nation.
Technical Specifications and Operational Capabilities
Each Driving Power Car (DPC) has been equipped with a specially designed LNG tank with a capacity of approximately 2,200 litres. This substantial storage enables the modified DEMU trains to cover up to 222 kilometers of daily operation on a single full refill of liquefied natural gas. The innovative conversion allows these units to replace up to 40% of their traditional diesel consumption with cleaner-burning LNG, creating a more sustainable operational model.
As part of this pioneering initiative, railway engineers have successfully converted two 1,400 horsepower DEMU Driving Power Cars to operate on the advanced dual-fuel system. These modified units have already completed extensive field testing, accumulating over 2,000 kilometers of trial runs without encountering any operational challenges. Following their successful testing phase, the dual-fuel DEMUs have now been integrated into regular passenger service, where they continue to perform reliably.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Divisional Railway Manager of the Ahmedabad division, Ved Prakash, personally inspected the modified DEMU trains and praised the project as a major advancement toward environmentally responsible rail transportation. Prakash emphasized that the introduction of Liquefied Natural Gas in DEMU power cars represents a strategic move to reduce diesel dependency while simultaneously lowering harmful emissions and operational expenses.
Railway officials have projected substantial financial savings from this technological innovation. Based on comprehensive trial data, estimates indicate that each converted Driving Power Car could generate annual savings of approximately Rs 11.9 lakh. For a complete eight-coach DEMU rake equipped with two DPCs, the projected yearly savings reach about Rs 23.9 lakh, demonstrating the significant economic advantages of this dual-fuel approach.
Future Expansion and Regulatory Approvals
Following the successful completion of rigorous emission testing conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and the acquisition of necessary statutory approvals, Indian Railways has announced ambitious expansion plans for this program. The national rail operator intends to convert eight additional DEMU Driving Power Cars under the LNG–diesel dual-fuel initiative, building upon the proven success of the Ahmedabad prototype.
This technological breakthrough positions Indian Railways at the forefront of sustainable transportation innovation in South Asia. The dual-fuel DEMU project not only addresses pressing environmental concerns but also establishes a financially viable model for modernizing India's extensive rail network while reducing operational costs and carbon footprint simultaneously.
