Jind: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train from Jind in Haryana on Friday. The train will run on the 89-km-long Jind-Sonipat route under Northern Railway.
This marks a major step in India’s push towards a cleaner and more sustainable rail transport system.
Unlike conventional trains, this one produces electricity onboard through a hydrogen fuel cell. The system combines hydrogen with oxygen from the atmosphere to generate power, emitting only water vapour and heat in the process.
The technology revives the concept of self-powered trains, but replaces fossil fuels such as coal and diesel with clean hydrogen, eliminating the need for combustion as well as an external electricity supply, railway officials said.
The train has been fitted with multiple safety mechanisms capable of detecting hydrogen leaks, excessive heat, flames and smoke to ensure safe operations.
The integrated monitoring system is designed to continuously assess onboard conditions and respond quickly to any potential hazard, officials said, as reported by India Today.
The train has a maximum operational speed of 75 kmph, while its design speed is 110 kmph, allowing for faster and more efficient services on the Jind-Sonipat section.
Hydrogen-powered passenger trains remain relatively uncommon worldwide. Germany was the first country to introduce it into commercial service, while France, Italy, Japan and China are testing or deploying the technology on a limited scale.
Most hydrogen trains currently in operation internationally are designed for regional routes with two to four coaches.
