New Delhi: Indian Railways is set to roll out the country’s first hydrogen-powered train, marking a major milestone in sustainable transportation. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a preview video on X (previously known as Twitter), offering the first public glimpse of the pioneering train.
With this launch, India will become the fifth nation, after Germany, France, Sweden and China, to deploy hydrogen-based rail technology.
Bharat’s First Hydrogen Train! 🇮🇳
Coming soon… pic.twitter.com/Mtq72zd1Dd— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 12, 2025
The inaugural service will run between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana and is billed as the world’s most powerful and longest hydrogen-powered train, capable of carrying up to 2,600 passengers.
Developed through a pilot programme at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory, the train features a 1,200 HP hydrogen propulsion system and has been adapted from a diesel electric multiple unit (DEMU) using hydrogen fuel cells.
The project is part of the ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ initiative, which envisions 35 such trains for heritage and hill routes, with each train costing around Rs 80 crore and additional Rs 70 crore earmarked for route infrastructure.
Supporting infrastructure includes an integrated hydrogen production, storage and dispensing facility. For the Haryana service, fuel will be supplied by a 1 MW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser in Jind, operated by GreenH Electrolysis.
This system will produce approximately 430 kg of hydrogen daily and feature a 3,000 kg storage capacity, along with a compressor and two pre-cooled dispensers for rapid refuelling.
Additionally, Indian Railways plans to introduce five hydrogen fuel cell-based tower cars, each costing Rs 10 crore, to aid maintenance operations.
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