New Delhi, July 16: India will enter the hydrogen powered rail era on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the country’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered train. The 10 coach train will begin operations on the 89 kilometre Jind to Sonipat section of Northern Railway.
The train generates electricity onboard through a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell instead of relying on overhead electric lines or diesel engines. Hydrogen stored in onboard cylinders combines with oxygen from the atmosphere inside the fuel cell to produce electricity for the traction motors.
The Ministry of Railways said the only byproducts of this process are water vapour and heat, making the train a near zero emission mode of transport.
The train consists of two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars and eight trailer coaches. Each power car produces 1,200 kW or about 1,600 horsepower.
Designed to carry nearly 2,600 passengers, the train has a top speed of 110 kmph. It is among the largest hydrogen powered passenger train sets developed anywhere in the world.
Indian Railways has also created the country’s first integrated railway hydrogen ecosystem at Jind. Hydrogen is produced on site through electrolysis, compressed for storage and supplied to the train through dedicated refuelling stations.
The facility can store nearly 3,000 kg of hydrogen to support regular train operations.
Since hydrogen is highly flammable, the project includes multiple safety features. These include hydrogen leak detectors, flame, heat and smoke sensors, continuous ventilation, and automatic shutdown systems that immediately stop hydrogen supply if any abnormality is detected.
The Railways said the project has undergone an independent safety assessment and complies with international standards as well as the statutory requirements of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
The hydrogen train marks another milestone in Indian Railways’ green transition after electrifying more than 99 percent of the country’s broad gauge network. The ministry said the initiative also supports the National Green Hydrogen Mission and India’s long term net zero goals, with similar trains expected to operate on additional routes, including heritage railways.
