The Indian government is rapidly advancing towards the adoption of hydrogen-powered trains as part of its eco-friendly initiatives.
Under the “Hydrogen for Heritage” project, Indian Railways plans to introduce 35 hydrogen-fueled trains, each with an estimated cost of ₹80 crore.
Additionally, the government is investing ₹70 crore per route to build the necessary infrastructure, especially on hilly routes.
These steps are aimed at reducing the environmental impact of transportation and promoting green energy.
Key Details of the Hydrogen Train Project
The Indian Railways has appointed Germany’s TUV-SUD to conduct a third-party safety audit for the hydrogen train project. Trial runs for these hydrogen-powered trains are expected to start in December 2024.
With this development, India will become the fifth country globally to operate hydrogen trains, joining Germany, France, Sweden, and China.
Alongside the passenger trains, five hydrogen fuel cell-based tower cars (maintenance vehicles) are also being developed, each costing ₹10 crore.
The first hydrogen-powered train is set to run on the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway, and the prototype integration is planned at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.
Hydrogen Supply and Infrastructure
The hydrogen for the Jind-Sonipat train will be produced by a 1-megawatt Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolyser in Jind.
The fueling infrastructure will include two hydrogen dispensers, 3,000 kg of hydrogen storage capacity, and a hydrogen compressor and pre-cooler for quicker refueling.
