Media365
India on Friday entered the emerging league of countries operating hydrogen-powered passenger trains as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country’s first such service from Haryana’s Jind, marking a significant milestone in Indian Railways’ push towards cleaner transportation and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
The hydrogen fuel cell train will operate on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route under Northern Railway, becoming India’s first passenger train to generate electricity onboard using hydrogen instead of diesel. With the launch, India joins a select group of countries including Germany, France, Italy, China and Japan that have introduced or are testing hydrogen-powered rail services.
Among the world’s largest hydrogen passenger trains
The project is also notable for its scale. While most hydrogen-powered passenger trains operating globally have two or three coaches, the Indian Railways train comprises 10 coaches and can accommodate around 2,600 passengers, making it among the largest hydrogen-powered passenger trains introduced anywhere in the world.
The train has a maximum design speed of 110 kmph and will initially operate at a top operational speed of 75 kmph.
How the hydrogen train works
Unlike conventional diesel locomotives, the train uses Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology to generate electricity. Hydrogen stored in onboard cylinders reacts with oxygen from the air inside the fuel cells, producing electricity that powers the train’s traction motors. The only by-products of the process are water vapour and heat, resulting in near-zero emissions during operation.
The absence of fuel combustion also makes hydrogen-powered trains quieter than diesel locomotives while eliminating carbon emissions at the point of use.
The train consists of two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars positioned at either end and eight passenger trailer coaches in between. Each power car houses hydrogen fuel cells, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and hydrogen storage cylinders, generating around 1,200 kilowatts of power. Together, the two power cars provide enough traction to operate the full train.
Dedicated hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
To support the service, Indian Railways has established the country’s largest hydrogen refuelling facility for the railway network at Jind. The facility can store around 3,000 kilograms of hydrogen and features two dedicated dispensers capable of refuelling both driving power cars simultaneously.
Before being supplied to the train, hydrogen is compressed to 500 bar for storage and dispensed at 350 bar. The storage and dispensing infrastructure has received approval from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
Safety has been a key focus of the project, with the train equipped with multiple monitoring systems capable of detecting hydrogen leaks, excessive heat, flames and smoke during operations.
Developed under Make in India
The Jind-Sonipat corridor has been selected to evaluate the operational efficiency, safety and reliability of hydrogen-powered passenger services under regular operating conditions. The route serves several intermediate stations, including Pandu Pindara Junction, Bhambhewa, Mohana and Barwasni Halt.
The hydrogen train has been developed largely using indigenous technology under the Make in India initiative. The Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) prepared the technical specifications and led the design approval process, while Medha Servo Drives integrated the trainset. The Integral Coach Factory manufactured the train’s exterior.
Part of India’s green mobility push
Hydrogen-powered rail transport is still at a relatively early stage globally. Germany became the first country to introduce commercial hydrogen train services, while France, Italy, China and Japan have either launched pilot projects or deployed limited commercial operations.
Indian Railways plans to use the operational experience from the Jind-Sonipat service to evaluate the wider deployment of hydrogen-powered trains, including on heritage railway routes such as the Kalka-Shimla section, as part of its broader strategy to decarbonise the rail network.
