KATHMAND: India has officially launched its first hydrogen-powered passenger train, marking a major step in the country’s push towards cleaner rail transportation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the train on Saturday.
The train will operate on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route in the northern state of Haryana. It has been introduced as a pilot project to evaluate hydrogen fuel cell technology for future railway operations.
The 10-coach train is powered by a 1,200 kW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system. It has a top speed of 75 km/h and can accommodate around 2,600 passengers.
Hydrogen fuel cell trains generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapor during operation. The technology is considered a cleaner alternative to diesel-powered trains, particularly on non-electrified railway lines.
With the launch, India joins a small group of countries exploring hydrogen-powered rail transport, alongside Germany, Japan, China and the United States. The pilot project is expected to help assess the technology’s operational performance and its potential for wider deployment across the country’s railway network.
