India launches its first hydrogen-powered train

India has officially launched its first hydrogen-powered train, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Jind railway station in Haryana on Friday. This move places India among a select group of nations globally that operate hydrogen trains, including China, the United States, Japan, and Germany.

Hydrogen is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly fuels, and the deployment of this train aligns with India's broader strategy to transition its transportation sector towards greener solutions. The entire development process, from the initial design phase to the construction of prototypes, was carried out domestically.

The introduction of hydrogen trains is anticipated to provide a viable alternative for railway segments where electrification infrastructure is challenging or impractical to implement. This initiative builds upon India's extensive electrification efforts over the past 12 years, which have significantly reduced the country's reliance on imported diesel, with over 99% of its broad-gauge railway network now electrified.

The new train utilizes hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity directly onboard, negating the need for overhead power lines. The train comprises 10 coach segments and is powered by a 1200 kW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system. It has an approved speed of 75 km/h but a design speed of 110 km/h, with a passenger capacity of 2,600 people.

Initially, the hydrogen train will operate on a pilot route between Jind and Sonipat. This project is expected to help Indian Railways assess the performance and feasibility of hydrogen trains on remote and heritage railway lines.