A new chapter is set to be added to the history of Indian Railways. The country’s first green hydrogen-powered train is ready for launch. This is being hailed as a major step towards clean, green, and zero-emission transportation.
Sharing photos of the hydrogen train on his official Facebook account, PM Modi wrote, “India’s first hydrogen-powered train is set to launch from Haryana.” His post has sparked excitement among the public regarding this project.
This project is part of Indian Railways’ ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ initiative. Under this scheme, the Railways plans to introduce 35 more hydrogen trains in the future to replace ageing diesel engines on heritage and rural routes with an eco-friendly alternative.
The new train has been designed as a 10-coach hydrogen-powered DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) set. It features 682 seats and has a total passenger capacity of 2,600. Although the train achieved higher speeds during trials, its maximum operational speed has been capped at 75 km/h. As this is currently a pilot project, it is being launched in a controlled and cautious manner.
According to media reports, hydrogen trains function like mobile power plants. Hydrogen gas stored on board combines with oxygen from the atmosphere inside a fuel cell. This chemical process generates electricity to power the train’s electric motors. The entire process emits no harmful fumes; instead, it produces only water vapour and heat.
Experts state that the aim of these trains is to make the railway network carbon-emission-free, particularly on routes where installing overhead electric lines is difficult or prohibitively expensive. Hydrogen trains offer environmental benefits similar to electric trains without requiring extensive infrastructure, and—much like diesel trains—they can be refuelled and put back into service within minutes.
