Amit Shah flags off India's first LNG train; claims ‘Modi transformed railways, Congress known for scams’

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flag off India's first dual-fuel LNG train and powerful WAG-12 electric locomotive using up to 40% LNG in the Driving Power Car (DPC) at Sabarmati Railway Station, in Ahmedabad on September 27, 2026. | Photo Credit: ANI

Union Minister Amit Shah asserted on Sunday (September 27, 2026) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had transformed the Railways, and asked people to challenge the Congress — which he claimed "talks nonsense" — to a discussion based on facts and figures.

Speaking after flagging off the country's first LNG train from Sabarmati station in Gujarat, Mr. Shah said the Congress did nothing apart from scams during its tenure. In contrast "no one has been able to accuse Modi of corruption of even four annas in 12 years".

"I want to talk only about the Railways,” Mr. Shah said. “Dedicated freight corridor, rapid rail system, premium stations — all these have been started by Modiji. Further by inaugurating a train running on hydrogen, he has placed India among just 4 countries in the world," Shah said.

"The Congress speaks nonsense. The people of the country should ask them to discuss figures. You (Congress) did nothing except fraud, scams, and corruption amounting to ₹12 lakh crore."

Mr. Shah also flagged off a WAG-12 electric locomotive from Sabarmati station. Besides, he dedicated to the nation, inaugurated, and laid foundation stones for major railway projects worth more than ₹1,500 crore. Among these are line doubling works, the Kavach train protection system, automatic signalling system, and a WAG-12 electric locomotive maintenance shed.

Hailing Mr. Modi’s contribution, Mr. Shah said trials for the first long double stack container train from Mumbai to Vadodara have been successfully completed. This would help the country overcome the shortage of tracks for goods movement.

"Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, he has introduced several new railway facilities and modernised the infrastructure. Under the Modi Government over 11,000 km of rail corridor is being converted into a 4-track network," Mr. Shah pointed out

Mr. Shah said 97% of all bio toilets were installed in trains by the Modi government, while 87% of LHB coaches were produced in India during the PM's tenure. Further, the budget for railway safety increased by 67%, and locomotive production capacity increased by 66% during Modi's rule, he said.

"Modi solidified the concept of Make in India, the concept of self-reliant India, and this is the result of it. During the 2015-16 period, the Railways used 293 crore litres of diesel. By 2030 this will be reduced to zero leading to substantial savings in foreign currency. This is a great achievement which people have not noticed," Mr. Shah said.

Mr. Shah noted that the annual electrification of railway tracks increased from 75 km in 2010-11 to 7,188 km in 2023-24, adding that a difficult task has been completed smoothly.

"The Railways has completed 99.6 percent electrification, and we will soon complete the remaining 0.3 percent. For comparison electrification is 92% in China, 68% in Spain, 60% in France, and 49% in Britain. We will ensure it reaches 100% in India," he said.

Mr. Shah said the allocation for Gujarat in the Railway Budget was ₹589 crore in the 2009-14 period it has risen to ₹17,366 crore in 2026-27.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, and senior railway officials were present.

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