India’s Hydrogen Train Coach: A Milestone for Green Railways

India Hydrogen Train Latest News

• Indian Railways has successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, marking a major step towards launching India’s first hydrogen-powered train. 
• This eco-friendly initiative supports India’s goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and boosting renewable energy use. 

• The project, now in its final stage, is undergoing equipment testing before commercial rollout. Using hydrogen—a clean fuel—will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Only a few countries have attempted such projects, most of which remain in the trial phase.

Indian Railways’ Hydrogen Train Project: Key Details

• Launched by Northern Railway in 2020-21, the hydrogen train project involves converting two 1600 HorsePower (HP) diesel power cars into hydrogen fuel cell-powered units. 
• The project also includes setting up a hydrogen storage and fuelling facility at Jind, Haryana, with a storage capacity of 3,000 kg of hydrogen. 
• The Research Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO) is leading the design, testing, and validation. 
• The converted train, comprising 10 coaches and capable of carrying over 2,600 passengers, will operate between Jind and Sonepat in Haryana, covering two daily round trips of 356 km.

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How India’s First Hydrogen Train Will Operate Safely

• Indian Railways’ hydrogen train project involves retrofitting two diesel power cars with hydrogen fuel cell systems, each storing 220 kg of hydrogen in specially designed cylinders at 350 bar pressure. 
• Given hydrogen’s highly flammable nature, multiple safety measures have been built in, including pressure relief valves, leak and flame detection sensors, temperature monitors, and optimized ventilation systems. 
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies have been conducted to simulate worst-case leak scenarios. 
• Extensive testing of key components—like the traction and auxiliary converters—has been completed. 
• To ensure global safety standards, German firm TUV-SUD has been brought in as an independent safety auditor, while the engineering is led by Medha Servo Drives at ICF Chennai.

Hydrogen Fuelling Facility at Jind: Backbone of India’s Hydrogen Train Project

• A dedicated 3,000-kg hydrogen fuelling facility is being established at Jind in Haryana to support the operation of India’s first hydrogen-powered train. 
• The storage is split into two parts — 2,320 kg at low pressure and 680 kg at high pressure. 
• The facility will function under the safety norms and specifications of the Petroleum Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), ensuring strict adherence to national standards. 
• Northern Railway is also developing supporting infrastructure, including power supply lines, access roads, and a firefighting tank, to make the facility fully operational.

Hydrogen for Heritage: A Green Transport Vision

• The tested coach is part of the “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative, under which Indian Railways plans to deploy 35 hydrogen-powered trains on heritage and hill routes. 
• Each train will cost around ₹80 crore, with an additional ₹70 crore earmarked for ground infrastructure per route.
• While the running costs of hydrogen-powered trains are currently high, they are expected to fall as scale and efficiency improve. 
  • The main appeal of hydrogen lies in its zero carbon emissions, aligning with India’s green energy goals.
• India’s hydrogen ambitions are not limited to the rail sector. 
• In 2024, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri presented a hydrogen-fueled bus, developed by Indian Oil, to Bhutan’s Prime Minister during his visit — underscoring India’s broader commitment to clean mobility.

Source: IE | DDN