New Delhi: India’s first hydrogen-powered train is set to enter service soon, marking a major step towards green mobility. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the train on social media platform X, giving the public its first glimpse.
With this launch, India will join Germany, France, Sweden and China in operating hydrogen trains. The inaugural service will run between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, aiming to cut fuel costs and bring carbon emissions to zero.
The project, developed under the ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ initiative, features a 1,200 horsepower propulsion system—more than double the capacity of similar hydrogen trains elsewhere. Built at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, the train is adapted from a diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) and can carry up to 2,638 passengers at speeds of up to 110 km/h.
Hydrogen fuel cells on board will generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, releasing only water vapour. Each power car will carry 220 kg of hydrogen in specially designed high-pressure cylinders. The Jind hydrogen facility will store 3,000 kg of fuel and includes an integrated production, storage and dispensing system powered by a 1 MW polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyser.
The Railway Ministry said the project’s design and safety standards were developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation, with German safety auditor TÜV SÜD assessing the systems. Extensive safety features include leak detection, flame sensors, temperature monitors and optimised ventilation.
The initiative began as a ₹111.83 crore pilot to retrofit a DEMU for hydrogen propulsion. The government has allocated ₹2,800 crore for 35 such trains on heritage and hill routes, each costing about ₹80 crore, with ₹70 crore per route for infrastructure.
In July, Vaishnaw had said, “First Hydrogen powered coach (Driving Power Car) successfully tested at ICF, Chennai. India is developing 1,200 HP Hydrogen train.” He added, “This will place India among the leaders in Hydrogen powered train technology.”
The hydrogen train will complete two round trips of 356 km daily on the Jind–Sonipat section. Officials say testing is in its final phase before passenger service begins.
BI Bureau
