India’s first hydrogen-powered train has successfully completed over 1,200 km of trial runs between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, advancing Indian Railways’ efforts to develop zero-emission rail transport using indigenous technology.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the train has already saved more than 3,200 litres of diesel during the trials. The next phase of testing will be conducted on the Delhi route, Metro Rail News reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country’s first hydrogen-powered train from Jind on July 17 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The project is part of Indian Railways’ strategy to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy in the transport sector.
Unlike conventional diesel locomotives, the train generates electricity onboard through hydrogen fuel cells. The technology combines hydrogen and oxygen in a chemical reaction to produce electricity that powers the train’s traction motors, with water vapour being the only emission.
The Ministry said the hydrogen propulsion system has been developed indigenously by Indian Railways. The train consists of 10 passenger coaches, two hydrogen driving power cars, a combined power output of 2,400 kW, hydrogen storage cylinders and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePOâ‚„) batteries that provide supplementary power.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the project as a significant milestone in the development of indigenous hydrogen propulsion technology.
As part of the project, Indian Railways has also established its first dedicated hydrogen storage and refuelling facility at Jind. The facility stores green hydrogen at pressures of up to 500 bar and dispenses it at 350 bar. It has a storage capacity of around 3,000 kg of hydrogen to support train operations.
The hydrogen train has also been equipped with multiple safety systems designed for Indian operating conditions.
Following the successful Haryana trials, Indian Railways plans to begin testing the train on the Delhi route as it works towards building a domestic hydrogen rail ecosystem and expanding the use of zero-emission technologies across the rail network.
