India Tests First Hydrogen-Powered Train In Chennai: A Historic Milestone In Green Rail Travel

India created history on July 25 when it successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered train coach at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF). Under the nation’s “Hydrogen for Heritage” project, the Indian Railways aims to deploy 35 hydrogen trains and become the world’s most powerful hydrogen propulsion system for railway transport.

India’s first hydrogen train will operate between the Northern Railway stations of Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, clocking two round trips of 356 km.

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted a video of the trial on X, calling it a landmark moment towards building a “future-ready and sustainable India.” He said that, “India is developing a 1,200 HP Hydrogen train. This will place India among the leaders in Hydrogen powered train technology.”

The 'Hydrogen To Heritage' Initiative Of Indian Railways

The Indian Railways’ Northern Railway zone undertook the hydrogen-powered train coach project in 2020-2021, employing a two-pronged approach:

• The first component focuses on converting two conventional 1600-horsepower diesel power cars into a hydrogen fuel cell-powered traction system. The final train, comprising 10 coaches, will be able to accommodate over 2,600 passengers.

• The second part aims to establish a hydrogen storage and fuelling facility with a capacity to hold 3,000 kg of hydrogen in Haryana’s Jind district.

For this project, the engineering design and conversion-related tasks have been undertaken by Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives at the ICF in Chennai.

Hydrogen-Powered Trains An Investment In India's Clean Energy Future

In 2023, Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha that Indian Railways plans to operate 35 hydrogen-powered trains under the “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative.

Each train is estimated to cost INR 80 crore, with INR 70 crore per route for supporting infrastructure on heritage and hill routes. A pilot project worth INR 111.83 crore has also been launched to retrofit a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) with hydrogen fuel cells, set to run on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway.

While the initial running cost of hydrogen trains may be high, it is expected to decrease over time. The move is aimed at promoting green transport and supporting India's zero carbon emission goals through clean hydrogen energy.

Hydrogen is an odourless, colourless, tasteless and highly flammable gas, and its use presents unique engineering challenges. The German third-party safety auditor Technischer Überwachungsverein Süd (TÜV SÜD) has been engaged to ensure top-tier safety standards for the hydrogen-powered train coach.

(With inputs from multiple news reports)