India set to launch first hydrogen-powered prepare: An enormous leap towards inexperienced mobility | Video
Whereas the preliminary working price of hydrogen-powered trains is comparatively excessive, it tends to lower over time as extra trains are deployed and the expertise scales.
In a landmark transfer towards sustainable transportation, Indian Railways is getting ready to launch India’s first hydrogen-powered prepare, inserting the nation alongside Germany, France, Sweden, and China as world pioneers in hydrogen prepare expertise.
The initiative was unveiled by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who shared a video on X (previously Twitter), providing the primary glimpse of the hydrogen-powered prepare at the moment beneath trial on the Integral Coach Manufacturing unit (ICF) in Chennai.
The Railways Ministry had allotted Rs 2,800 crore in 2023-24 to develop a fleet of 35 hydrogen gasoline cell-based trains for clear power transportation. Vaishnaw had revealed that the specs for these trains have been developed by the Analysis Design and Requirements Organisation (RDSO), making certain the expertise is totally Made in India.
First Route: Jind to Sonipat, Haryana
The prepare’s maiden journey will run between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, chosen for its manageable size and infrastructure readiness. This route would be the first in India to host a zero-emission prepare, making it a testbed for future deployment throughout different non-electrified and heritage routes.
World’s strongest hydrogen prepare
In keeping with Indian Railways, the upcoming prepare is ready to develop into the world’s strongest and longest hydrogen-powered prepare, that includes a 1,200 HP engine and able to transporting as much as 2,600 passengers.
The prepare is a transformed Diesel Electrical A number of Unit (DEMU) outfitted with hydrogen gasoline cells, representing a mix of indigenous innovation and cutting-edge inexperienced tech.
Authorities’s inexperienced ambition
The launch is a part of Indian Railways’ bold “Hydrogen for Heritage” programme, geared toward decarbonizing rail journey on delicate and scenic routes comparable to Shimla–Kalka, Darjeeling, and Ooty.
Below the programme:
- 35 hydrogen trains are deliberate.
- Rs 80 crore is the price per prepare.
- Rs 70 crore per route is allotted for hydrogen refueling infrastructure and upkeep amenities.
Hydrogen-powered trains emit solely water vapor, making them an eco-friendly different to diesel-powered locomotives, particularly for routes which can be but to be electrified. They provide a cheap and cleaner answer for India’s huge and numerous rail community, significantly in hilly terrains and distant areas.
Following the Jind–Sonipat rollout, Indian Railways will increase the service to vacationer and heritage railways, aiming to remodel journey experiences whereas selling India’s net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2070.
This daring initiative not solely reaffirms India’s dedication to inexperienced transportation but additionally locations Indian Railways on the forefront of fresh rail expertise innovation globally.
