India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train Ready, Railway Minister Shares Sneak Peek
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India has unveiled its first hydrogen-powered train, marking a significant milestone in its transition toward cleaner, eco-friendly transport systems. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a sneak-peek video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showcasing the train just ahead of its official launch.
The new train is slated to run on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana, positioning India alongside Germany, France, Sweden, and China as one of only five nations pioneering hydrogen-powered rail service.
It’s being touted as the most powerful and longest hydrogen-powered train in the world, with a seating capacity for 2,600 passengers. Earlier tests were conducted at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, where the hydrogen coach demonstrated its potential.
According to Vaishnaw, the train features a robust 1,200 HP hydrogen powertrain, a feat that places India among global leaders in hydrogen rail innovation.
This launch forms part of Indian Railways’ broader “Hydrogen for Heritage” campaign, aimed at decarbonising rail travel along heritage and mountainous routes like Shimla–Kalka and Darjeeling. The government plans to deploy 35 hydrogen trains under this initiative, with each train estimated at ₹80 crore and accompanying route infrastructure costing an additional ₹70 crore.
Supporting infrastructure will include hydrogen production, storage, and dispensing systems, along with the development of five hydrogen fuel-cell-based tower cars for maintenance. A 1-megawatt (MW) PEM electrolyser in Jind will supply approximately 430 kg of hydrogen daily, supported by 3,000 kg of hydrogen storage, a compressor, and two hydrogen dispensers to enable quick refuelling. Itiative underscores India’s push toward sustainable transport and innovation, demonstrating a firm commitment to achieving a greener, more modern railway network.
