Hydrogen train to soon be a reality in India with its trial run in December

Use of hydrogen as fuel provides larger benefits in the direction of green transportation technology

Accelerating towards greener transportation, the Indian Railways is all set to launch its first hydrogen-fuelled train by December this year. With this, India will become the fifth country to run hydrogen-powered trains, joining the likes of Germany, France, Sweden, and China.

A pilot project for retro-fitment of hydrogen fuel cell in existing DEMU (diesel electric multiple unit) trains, along with the necessary ground infrastructure, has been reportedly awarded by the Indian Railways, and the first prototype of this train is set to run on the Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana under the Northern Railway zone.

According to reports quoting a senior railway official, the integration of the prototype train is going on at the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is personally overseeing this eco-friendly railway project.

The Railways will later introduce 35 hydrogen trains under ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ initiative, at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crores per train and ground infrastructure of Rs 70 crores per route on various heritage/hill routes. This information was, in fact, shared by Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha in February 2023 only.

The initial running cost of hydrogen fuel train-set will be higher which will subsequently reduce with increase in number of trains. Further, the use of hydrogen as fuel provides larger benefits in the direction of green transportation technology to support zero carbon emission goals as a clean energy source.

The Railways has received approval for a hydrogen plant from the Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization, and on-board hydrogen safety assessments are being conducted by leading agencies, including TUV-SUD Germany, said reports quoting officials.

The Matheran-Hill Railway, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Kalka-Shimla Railway, Kangra Valley, and Nilgiri Mountain Railways are among the heritage routes targeted for the introduction of hydrogen trains. Once these trials are successfully finished, the routes will be up and running in the next three years, highlighting India’s vibrant cultural and natural heritage. At the outset, these 35 trains will consist of six cars each and will operate on eight heritage routes.