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Indian Railways approved the operation of India’s first 10-coach hydrogen fuel cell-powered train on the Jind-Sonipat section under Northern Railway, marking a significant advancement in eco-friendly transportation.
The Railway Ministry announced that the train will commence services shortly and operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph using a 1,200 KW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.
With this initiative, India joins nations such as Germany, Japan, China, and the United States in exploring hydrogen-powered rail mobility.
Officials stated that only a few countries currently operate or test such advanced systems because the technology remains in its developmental stage.
Hydrogen fuel cell systems generate electricity through a chemical reaction involving hydrogen.
The process emits only water vapour, making the technology a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil-fuel traction systems.
Authorities selected the Jind-Sonipat corridor in Haryana as the pilot route for operations. Engineers established an indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility at Jind.
The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation granted the mandatory licence for compressed hydrogen storage and dispensing operations.
Officials installed hydrogen leak detectors, flame detectors, compression systems, and standby compressor units to maintain operational safety.
Approved operation and maintenance manuals prepared by Research Designs and Standards Organisation will guide functioning at the Shakurbasti maintenance facility.
The approval also mandates round-the-clock monitoring, certified personnel deployment, regular inspections, and safety audits.
Trained technical staff will accompany the train during the initial operational phase to ensure uninterrupted performance.
The project shows Indian Railways’ commitment to innovation, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and India’s net-zero carbon goals.
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