India’s first hydrogen train set for launch by March 31

Indian Railways is poised to enter a new phase of mobility. Following the shift from diesel to electric locomotives, the Ministry of Railways is preparing to launch the country’s first hydrogen-powered trains, with operations set to begin by March 31, 2025, on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.

The Research, Design, and Standard Organisation (RDSO) has created the design for India’s first hydrogen-powered train. This milestone will place India among a select group of countries pioneering the use of hydrogen as fuel for trains, marking a significant advancement in sustainable rail transport.

This train features three dedicated coaches for storing hydrogen cylinders and housing integrated fuel cell converters, batteries, and air reservoirs. The train will have a maximum speed of 110 km/h. Indian Railways plans to run 35 hydrogen-powered trains under the “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative. Each train will cost approx Rs 80 crores, with an additional Rs 70 crores for the required ground infrastructure on various heritage and hill routes.

Hydrogen-powered trains offer numerous benefits, including zero carbon emissions, greater energy efficiency, long-term cost savings, and reduced noise. Though the initial investment is high, the environmental and operational advantages make them a cost-effective and sustainable choice for India’s railways. Indian Railways has awarded a Rs 111.83 crore pilot project to retrofit a Hydrogen Fuel Cell on an existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake, along with the necessary ground infrastructure, for operation on the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway.