Jind-Sonipat Hydrogen Train travelled 1200 kms; 3,000 litres of diesel exhaust replaced with water vapours
New Delhi, July 25
India's first Hydrogen Train was flagged off between Jind and Sonipat on July 17 near Delhi. So far, the train has travelled over 1200 kilometres seamlessly, saving diesel consumption of more than 3200 litres, a press release from the Railway Ministry said.
The Hydrogen Train generates electricity onboard through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The process produces electricity to power the train while emitting only water vapour as a by-product. There is no smoke and no tailpipe carbon emissions, making it the cleanest form of rail propulsion currently available.
The project is an indigenous effort led by Indian Railways. The 10-coach train has two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars delivering 2,400 kW total power, supported by lithium iron phosphate batteries and hydrogen cylinders.
Green hydrogen is stored at pressure upto 500 bar, dispensed at 350 bar with a total storage facility of about 3,000 kg, creating the Railway's first dedicated hydrogen storage facility at Jind, the press release stated.
Multiple independent safety systems detect leaks, heat, flames and smoke, backed by automatic shut-off systems, continuous ventilation, international standards and all mandatory validations. Following the successful operation between Jind and Sonipat, trials on the Delhi route will begin soon.
India's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train is more than a technological achievement. It establishes an indigenous hydrogen rail ecosystem and demonstrates India's commitment to sustainable, zero-emission rail mobility, paving the way for future expansion and global leadership in clean transportation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train from Jind in Haryana on July 17, marking a major milestone in the country's efforts towards green transportation and self-reliant technology under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the launch as a landmark achievement for Indian engineering, highlighting that the entire propulsion system and technology had been developed indigenously.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is a fantastic step, but I hope the safety systems are truly robust. Hydrogen is no joke — it needs extreme care. Also, the cost of green hydrogen production still worries me. Let's see if this becomes commercially viable or remains a showpiece. 🤔
As someone from the US, I'm genuinely impressed! India leapfrogging into hydrogen rail tech while we're still debating. 1,200 km trial without major issues is no small feat. The indigenous development angle is especially inspiring — shows what focused R&D can achieve.
Jind to Sonipat — and soon Delhi? That's excellent progress! I just hope the hydrogen production itself is truly green and not from fossil fuels. Also, would love to see the cost-benefit analysis compared to electrification of tracks. Still, a proud moment for Indian engineering! 👏
This is remarkable for a developing nation! I work in logistics and the environmental impact of diesel trains is huge. Water vapour as exhaust is game-changing. Kudos to the Indian Railways team — and to PM Modi for pushing this vision. Hope this inspires other countries too.
While I celebrate the technology, I want to ask — what about the hydrogen combustion risks? And are we ready with enough green hydrogen production capacity? We need to scale this responsibly, not just rush. The 3,000 kg storage at Jind sounds impressive, but safety can't be compromised. 🚂
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.