India joins a small club of countries testing hydrogen-powered trains
With its first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell train launching July 17 in Haryana, India enters a small group of countries experimenting with hydrogen as a diesel alternative on railways.
India is set to join a small group of countries experimenting with hydrogen-powered rail technology, as Indian Railways prepares to launch the nation’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger train on July 17. The train will be flagged off from Jind railway station in Haryana and operate on the Jind-Sonipat section under Northern Railway.
The Ministry of Railways approved the project in May this year, with the Railway Board clearing a 10-car train equipped with a 1,200 kW hydrogen propulsion system capable of a maximum operational speed of 75 km/hr. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) described the initiative as a significant step towards “greener and more energy-efficient rail operations.”
The pilot corridor spans approximately 90 kilometres and is expected to carry around 2,500 passengers, with fares likely ranging between Rs 5 and Rs 25. Unlike diesel trains, which emit carbon dioxide and particulate pollution, hydrogen-powered trains produce only water vapour and heat as by-products, while also running quieter and requiring less maintenance.
The corridor has been specifically chosen as a pilot project for testing hydrogen-powered rail operations before any broader expansion. Officials say that if the pilot proves successful, hydrogen trains could eventually operate on more non-electrified routes across the country, marking what could become a turning point for Indian Railways’ efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
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