India is poised to debut its first hydrogen-powered train, designed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and built at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, featuring a 1,200-horsepower propulsion system that officials describe as among the most powerful hydrogen-train setups globally. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has recently shared a video on social media platform X, announcing “Bharat’s First Hydrogen Train! Coming soon.”
Indian Railways’ “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative envisions up to 35 hydrogen-powered trains on heritage and hill routes, with estimated capital costs of roughly ₹80 crore per train and about ₹70 crore per route for supporting ground systems, building on the Jind–Sonipat pilot retrofit of a DEMU rake.
The pilot deployment is slated for the Northern Railway’s Delhi Division on the Jind–Sonipat section in Haryana, aligning with a broader green transition strategy and supported by new hydrogen storage and refuelling infrastructure at Jind.
Technical highlights
The trainset integrates hydrogen fuel cells, high-capacity batteries, and compressed hydrogen storage across dedicated coaches, enabling zero tailpipe emissions with water and heat as byproducts while targeting a maximum operating speed around 110 km/h in initial service.
The propulsion package is rated at 1,200 HP—significantly higher than typical 600–800 HP hydrogen units reported internationally—and the train configuration under the pilot is planned to handle over 2,600 passengers in a ten-coach arrangement.
A hydrogen Driving Power Car was successfully tested at ICF Chennai, marking a key validation step before operational trials, after which route proving and safety clearances would precede commercial runs.
Hydrogen traction eliminates on-train CO₂ emissions and reduces noise compared to diesel, with operating costs expected to trend downward as fleet size and supply infrastructure scale up across corridors.
The hydrogen-powered train represents a strategic imperative for the nation’s railway sector, establishing a scalable and zero-emission transport solution. This pioneering initiative positions Indian Railways as a global leader in sustainable innovation, effectively leveraging advanced technology to meet critical ESG objectives.
