Trials for India’s first hydrogen train will soon begin

India’s first hydrogen-powered train pilot project is set to start in December 2024, which is a significant step. This cutting-edge train will be a major step towards environmentally friendly transportation because it won’t require power or diesel to run. It will operate on designated routes, providing remarkable speed and a number of distinctive features that will signal a turning point in environmentally friendly transportation.

This hydrogen-powered train will be the first water-powered train in India. The train generates the electricity needed for motion using hydrogen fuel cells rather than traditional diesel or electric engines. By mixing hydrogen and oxygen, the hydrogen fuel cells generate energy with no hazardous emissions other than steam and water as byproducts. It is anticipated that this environmentally friendly technology would raise the bar for trains in the nation going forward.

The train will also need about 40,000 liters of water per hour, thus facilities for storing water will be built specifically to meet this need.

With 35 hydrogen-powered trains running on various routes by 2025, Indian Railways intends to expand its hydrogen train services to other parts of the nation following the trial runs. These trains will provide a sustainable substitute without sacrificing efficiency by matching the speed and passenger capacity of traditional diesel trains.

 The 90-kilometer Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana is anticipated to host the nation’s first hydrogen-powered train. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Kalka-Shimla Railway, Matheran Railway, Kangra Valley, Bilimora-Waghai, and Marwar-Deogarh Madariya lines are among the other routes being considered.

It is anticipated that the train will reach top speeds of 140 km/h and cover up to 1,000 km in a single trip.