NEW DELHI: India entered a new era of clean rail transportation on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell-powered train, making India one of the few nations to adopt hydrogen technology for railway operations.
The 10-coach train, which will operate on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railway, is a pilot project aimed at demonstrating the viability of hydrogen-powered mobility in one of the world’s largest rail networks. Officials have dubbed it as the longest and most powerful hydrogen train in the world.
With the launch, India joins countries such as Germany, Japan, China and the United States in exploring hydrogen-powered rail transportation.
HOW DOES HYDROGEN TRAIN WORK?
Unlike conventional diesel locomotives, the hydrogen train generates its own electricity onboard using hydrogen fuel cells.
At the heart of the system is a 1,200-kilowatt Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), which produces electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The only byproducts are water vapour and heat, making it one of the cleanest forms of rail propulsion available today.
The train carries compressed hydrogen gas in high-pressure cylinders mounted inside its two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars. This hydrogen is fed into a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), which acts like a battery that never needs recharging as long as hydrogen is supplied.
Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen molecules are split into protons and electrons using a catalyst, typically made of platinum. The protons pass through a special polymer membrane, while the electrons are forced to travel through an external electrical circuit.
This movement of electrons creates electricity, which powers the train’s traction motors.
At the same time, oxygen from the surrounding air enters the fuel cell and combines with the hydrogen protons and electrons. The only by-products of this electrochemical reaction are water vapour and heat.
There is no combustion, no smoke and virtually no carbon emissions at the point of use.
The electricity generated by the fuel cell is also stored in Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, which provide additional power during acceleration and store energy recovered through regenerative braking.
This hybrid system improves efficiency and reduces hydrogen consumption.
Hydrogen offers significant advantages over conventional fuels. With an energy density of about 120 megajoules per kilogram, compared with 43 MJ/kg for diesel, hydrogen can deliver high performance while eliminating carbon emissions at the point of use.
The technology also promises lower maintenance requirements and a substantially reduced environmental footprint.
Supporting the train is India’s largest railway hydrogen storage and refuelling facility, established at Jind in Haryana.
The indigenous facility can store nearly 3,000 kilograms of hydrogen and has received approval from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
The refuelling ecosystem has been developed according to international safety standards, including NFPA-2 and ISO 19880, and has undergone an independent safety assessment by TUV SUD Germany.
Developed entirely in India under the technical guidance of the Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO), the project is a significant step towards the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and supports the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
ALL ABOUT INDIA’S FIRST HYDROGEN TRAIN
The 10-coach train comprises two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars and eight trailer coaches, with the capacity to carry around 2,600 passengers. It has been approved to operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph, while its design speed is 110 kmph.
The service will connect Jind Junction, Gohana Junction and Sonipat, serving several intermediate stations along the route.
Safety has been built into every aspect of the project. The train and its supporting infrastructure feature hydrogen leak detectors, flame detection systems, continuous ventilation, automated hydrogen shut-off mechanisms and real-time health monitoring for locomotive pilots.
The refuelling station will be monitored round the clock, while trained technical personnel will accompany the train during its initial phase of operations.
The pilot project is expected to provide valuable operational experience for Indian Railways as it evaluates the wider deployment of hydrogen-powered trains.
Beyond introducing a new locomotive, the initiative establishes the infrastructure, maintenance practices and institutional expertise required to support future hydrogen mobility, reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable transport and its long-term net-zero emissions goals.
Agencies