Ministry of Railways clears hydrogen fuel cell DEMU for Jind-Sonipat route with safety stipulations
New Delhi, May 27
The Ministry of Railways has approved the introduction of a 10-car Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based DEMU trainset on the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway, marking a significant step towards green mobility in the Indian Railways network.
According to an official communication issued by the Railway Board, sanction has been granted for the introduction of a 10-car formation Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based DPRS 1200 KW DEMU coaches with a maximum operational speed of 75 kmph on the dedicated Jind-Sonipat route.
Earlier in April this year, the Ministry of Railways sanctioned 100 railway projects in FY 2025-26 with a total investment of Rs 1.53 lakh crore, marking a sharp rise in spending and expansion as part of its infrastructure push.
According to the Ministry of Railways, this includes a record expansion of over 6,000 kilometres, reflecting a significant jump compared to the previous year.
"A total investment of Rs 1.53 lakh crore has been committed across these projects, covering more than 6,000 kilometres of railway network. This marks a historic milestone in railway expansion," the ministry said in its release.
The ministry highlighted that the scale of approvals and spending has increased substantially year-on-year. "Compared to FY 2024-25... project approvals have increased by 56 per cent, route coverage has surged by over 114 per cent, and financial commitment has witnessed a remarkable jump of more than 110 per cent," it added.
The projects include new railway lines, doubling and multitracking works aimed at easing congestion and improving services. "These are strategically aimed at decongesting saturated routes, improving punctuality, and enhancing passenger experience while expanding connectivity to underserved regions," the ministry said.
The expansion will cover most major states, with a focus on key regions. "Maharashtra (17 projects), Bihar (11), Jharkhand (10), and Madhya Pradesh (9) emerge as key focus states," the release noted, adding that these states play a critical role in freight and passenger movement.
The ministry also emphasised connectivity in remote and tribal areas. "A major focus has been laid on expanding rail connectivity in tribal and remote regions... ensuring access to markets, healthcare, education and employment opportunities," it said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good step but need to see the operational costs and maintenance challenges. Hydrogen production and storage in Indian conditions is not easy. Also the speed of 75 kmph is quite slow - commuters on this route might find it frustrating compared to regular EMUs. Let's hope the safety protocols are robust.
अरे वाह! Hydrogen train on Jind-Sonipat route! This is exactly the kind of innovation we need. The 1.53 lakh crore investment across 6000 km expansion is equally impressive. Bihar and Jharkhand getting major projects - finally the neglected regions are getting attention. 👏👏
This is fantastic for green mobility but 75 kmph max speed feels disappointing. Regular trains on this route run faster. Also, what about charging infrastructure and hydrogen refueling stations along the route? Hope the Railway Board has planned all that properly for seamless operations.
Great to see focus on tribal and remote connectivity! That's something our railway network has seriously lacked for decades. Also 110% increase in financial commitment is a bold move. Just hope the implementation matches the ambition - we've seen many grand railway projects delayed beyond reason.
As an Indian living abroad, this makes me proud! India leapfrogging to hydrogen tech while many countries are still debating it. The 6000 km expansion is massive - bigger than many European countries' entire networks. True transformation happening in Indian Railways 🇮🇳
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.