In a move aimed at promoting green and sustainable transportation, Indian Railways has approved the introduction of a hydrogen fuel cell-based trainset on the Jind-Sonepat section of Northern Railway in Haryana. The train is expected to commence operations soon, marking a major milestone in India’s clean energy transition in the railway sector.
The 10-car trainset will operate using a 1,200 KW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system and will have a maximum speed of 75 kmph. Unlike conventional diesel-powered trains, hydrogen fuel cell technology generates electricity through a chemical reaction using hydrogen, producing only water vapour as emission, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.
With this initiative, India joins countries such as Germany, Japan, China and the United States that are exploring hydrogen-powered rail systems as part of their sustainable mobility strategies. Globally, hydrogen rail technology remains at a nascent stage with only a handful of nations currently testing or operating such systems.
The Jind-Sonepat rail corridor has been selected as the pilot route. To support operations, an indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility has been established at Jind. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation has granted the licence for storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen gas at the site. The Indian Railways in a statement said the dedicated hydrogen compression system has been installed for refuelling operations, along with technical support infrastructure and critical spare systems to ensure reliable and fail-safe functioning.
