Sonipat: India’s first hydrogen-powered train has officially begun trials on the 89-km-long Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.
The announcement for the trial run to be done on the Jind-Sonipat route was made in November 2024. Since this route has moderate traffic and established infrastructure, it provides a suitable environment to assess the train’s performance and safety.
Key Features of the Train
The train was manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and can reach a speed of up to 110 km per hour. It consists of a passenger coach and two additional coaches specifically designed for hydrogen storage. The project, estimated to cost around Rs. 80 crore, is expected to become more cost-effective as hydrogen production scales up and fuel prices drop.
Benefits of Hydrogen Train
Hydrogen trains produce only water vapor as a byproduct, significantly reducing air pollution and carbon emissions.
Hydrogen fuel cells provide a more efficient alternative to fossil fuels, thereby ensuring energy efficiency.
The low noise produced by hydrogen trains enhances passenger comfort.
A Step Towards Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability
The introduction of hydrogen trains is a step towards bolstering the government’s efforts to adopt sustainable solutions. It represents a crucial milestone in India’s transition toward zero-emission transportation, aligning with the larger objective of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Once operational, these trains will require around 40,000 liters of water per hour to facilitate the necessary chemical reactions in the fuel cells. For this, dedicated water storage and hydrogen refuelling stations will be constructed.
Future Expansion to Heritage & Mountain Routes
Under the government’s ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ Initiative, Indian Railways plans to deploy 35 hydrogen trains on heritage and mountainous routes.
The government has anticipated an expenditure of Rs. 600 crore for infrastructure development, storage, and refueling.
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