Despite Near-Total Electrification, Why Indian Railways Launched an LNG Train

Gist Indian Railways recently launched its first dual-fuel train, running on Liquefied Natural Gas LNG and diesel, from Gujarat. The move addresses a unique dilemma: how to reduce carbon emissions from existing diesel trainsets without prematurely scrapping assets that still have operational life. For UPSC aspirants, this illustrates the practical transition strategies adopted by large public utilities, balancing environmental goals with economic realities in an almost entirely electrified network. Background The Indian Railways broad-gauge network is currently 99.6% electrified , raising questions about why diesel-dependent trains are still being modified rather than retired. The answer lies in the design of Diesel-Electric Multiple Units DEMUs . Unlike conventional trains hauled by standalone heavy locomotives, EMUs and DEMUs are self-propelled "train sets" where power systems are built directly into the end coaches, known as Driving Power Cars DPCs . First introduced in 1994 , DEMUs use onboard diesel engines to generate electricity that powers traction motors. Because they lack the provision to attach an external locomotive, they cannot simply be hauled by an electric engine, making onboard fuel-system modification the only way…