Indore: Indian Railways is preparing to run its first hydrogen-powered train at up to 110 kmph in regular service, following successful high-speed trials at 120 kmph, Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar said on Sunday, PTI reported.
Currently restricted to 75 kmph, the train is set for a significant speed upgrade as the national transporter moves from testing to operational deployment.
“The operational speed of the hydrogen train has so far been kept at 75 kmph. However, trials have been completed for a speed of 120 kmph. After that, efforts are now underway to operate it at a maximum speed of 110 kmph,” Kumar told reporters in Indore.
Route, Fuel Supply Under Review
Railways officials are in talks with stakeholders to shortlist routes suitable for hydrogen operations, while simultaneously working out the technical framework and logistics needed to guarantee a reliable hydrogen fuel supply, the board chief said.
Jind–Sonipat Pilot Run
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first hydrogen train on July 17, with services now running on the 89-km Jind–Sonipat corridor in Haryana.
Unlike conventional electric locomotives that depend on overhead catenary wires, the hydrogen fuel-cell trainset produces electricity on board through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The only emissions from this process are water vapour and heat.
Vande Bharat Sleepers To Expand
On the Vande Bharat sleeper programme, Kumar said the first such service is already plying between Howrah and Kamakhya (Guwahati), and four additional trains have rolled out and will be formally launched soon.
The Railways expects to take delivery of 11 more Vande Bharat sleeper sets within the year. Overall, 200 such trains are being built under a public–private partnership, with each unit requiring roughly one to one-and-a-half years to manufacture, he added.
Simhastha 2028 Plan
Looking ahead to the Simhastha festival in Ujjain in 2028, the Railways is drawing up a plan to run between 100 and 125 special trains to manage the anticipated passenger rush. Station and line infrastructure is being bolstered to cope with the surge.
Security, Anti-Pest Drive, Projects
Kumar also flagged efforts to tackle the rat menace on trains and strengthen existing pest-control mechanisms. To improve safety, artificial intelligence is being integrated with CCTV systems at stations and inside coaches.
On the ₹18,500-crore Indore–Manmad line, sanctioned in 2024–25, land acquisition is moving quickly and the project is likely to be finished in four to five years, he said. Kumar, accompanied by senior officials, reviewed multiple railway works in and around Indore, including new lines and station redevelopment.