India is set to make history as the country’s first hydrogen-powered train will be rolled out by December 2023 on heritage routes. The announcement was made by the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, who stated that the train will operate on the Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Agra routes.
The introduction of India’s first hydrogen-powered train is a major step towards sustainable and eco-friendly railways. Hydrogen trains emit only water vapor and do not contribute to air pollution, making them a clean and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. The train will also reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to India’s efforts towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The use of hydrogen as a fuel source is gaining traction globally, and India is taking the lead in incorporating this technology in its railway system. The country has been exploring alternative fuel sources to reduce its carbon footprint and improve the sustainability of its transportation sector.
The hydrogen-powered train will operate on heritage routes, providing a unique and eco-friendly experience to passengers. The Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Agra routes are steeped in history and offer stunning views of India’s rich cultural heritage. The use of a clean energy source to power the trains on these routes will further enhance the experience of traveling on these iconic routes.
In addition, Vaishnaw stated that the new trains will run on the Maharashtra routes of Kalka-Shimla Railways, Nilgiri Mountain Railways, Darjeeling Hills, Kangra Railways, Bilimora Waghai, Mhow-Patalpani, Marwar-devgarh-Madriya, and Matheran Hill Railways.
Hydrogen engines have been developed by a few countries, including Germany, France, and China, and India will now be a part of this, according to the minister. In terms of modification, the coaches of new trains will be retrofitted with hydrogen-propulsion engines that will be commercially available by the end of the year. The Northern Railway workshop is producing a prototype of a hydrogen fuel-powered train as a pilot project. It would be tested on the Sonipat-Jind section of the Haryana highway.