PTC Web Desk: India is set to enter a new era of green rail transportation as the Railway Ministry has approved the country’s first fully indigenous hydrogen-powered DEMU train for operations between Jind and Sonepat in Haryana. The development is being seen as a major milestone in Indian Railways’ push towards sustainable and environment-friendly mobility.

The 10-coach hydrogen train, developed under Northern Railways, has successfully completed trial runs and achieved speeds of up to 75 kmph. Railway officials confirmed that the approval currently applies only to the Jind-Sonepat route.

Haryana to become hub of green rail technology

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini described the project as a landmark achievement.

According to officials, permission has already been granted for hydrogen production, storage and refuelling facilities in Jind. A dedicated control room will function round the clock at the hydrogen plant and refuelling station, while access to sensitive areas will remain restricted for security reasons.

How the hydrogen train works

Unlike conventional diesel trains, the hydrogen-powered DEMU uses fuel cells that convert hydrogen into electricity to run the train’s motors. The biggest environmental advantage is that the system produces only water vapour as a by-product, resulting in zero harmful emissions.

The project was initiated in December 2021 after the Research Designs and Standards Organisation finalised the design framework. The train has been manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai with advanced systems, including hydrogen cylinders, fuel cells, batteries and air reservoirs.

World’s longest broad-gauge hydrogen train

Indian Railways claims the train is the world’s longest hydrogen-powered train operating on a broad-gauge network. It consists of two driving power cars and eight passenger coaches with a total power output of 2400 kW.

The train can accommodate nearly 2,600 passengers and has been designed to operate efficiently on Indian railway tracks while maintaining high safety standards.

Railways’ bigger hydrogen mission

The Ministry of Railways has earmarked Rs 2,800 crore for hydrogen train development under its green mobility initiative. Under the “Hydrogen for Heritage” programme, the Indian Railways plans to introduce 35 hydrogen-powered trains, especially on heritage and hill routes.

Meanwhile, railway authorities have also launched a pilot project to convert an existing diesel DEMU into a hydrogen-powered train for the same Jind-Sonepat section. For the initial three months of operation, trained technical staff will remain onboard the train to immediately address any technical issues during the journey.