Indian Railways (IR) launches first LNG-diesel dual-fuel DEMU at Sabarmati ICD

Exam-focused facts from the 1 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Integrated Coaching Depot (ICD), Sabarmati, has successfully modified a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) to operate on a dual-fuel system using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and diesel.
Each Driving Power Car (DPC) is fitted with a 2,200-litre LNG tank, supporting a daily operation of up to 222 km on a single refill.
The conversion of two 1,400 HP DPCs allows for the replacement of up to 40% of diesel consumption with LNG, aiming to lower emissions and operating costs.
The technology is estimated to provide annual savings of ₹11.9 lakh per DPC and approximately ₹23.9 lakh per year for an eight-coach DEMU rake.
Following field trials of over 2,000 km and emission tests by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), IR plans to convert eight more DEMU DPCs under this programme.