India’s hydrogen train may soon race at 110 kmph; Railways explores new routes
The Railways are also consulting various stakeholders to determine the routes on which the hydrogen-powered train could be operated. Technical requirements and arrangements for ensuring a steady supply of hydrogen fuel are also being assessed.
Indian Railways is set to introduce the nation's first hydrogen-powered train, capable of reaching 110 kmph speeds following successful trials at 120 kmph, according to Railways Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar. The train's current operational speed is 75 kmph, with plans to increase it to 110 kmph. The Railways is consulting various stakeholders to determine suitable routes for the hydrogen-powered train and is assessing technical requirements for a steady supply of hydrogen fuel.
The hydrogen fuel cell trainset operates by generating electricity onboard through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing water vapor and heat as the only by-products. This technology offers a cleaner alternative to conventional diesel-powered trains on non-electrified routes, as it produces no combustion, smoke, or tailpipe carbon emissions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first hydrogen-powered train on July 17, which currently operates on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana. The train's cleaner technology makes it an attractive option for non-electrified routes.
In addition to the hydrogen train, India's first Vande Bharat sleeper express is already running between Howrah and Kamakhya in Guwahati, with four more trains expected to be inaugurated soon. The Railways aims to manufacture 200 Vande Bharat sleeper trains under a public-private partnership model, with each train taking around one to one-and-a-half years to complete.
The Railways is preparing for the Simhastha festival in Ujjain in 2028, intending to operate between 100 and 125 special trains during the religious gathering. The national transporter is also addressing issues like rat infestations in trains and enhancing security through the integration of artificial intelligence with CCTV cameras. The ₹18,500-crore Indore-Manmad railway line project is progressing well, with land acquisition advancing rapidly, and the project is expected to be completed in four to five years.
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