News Brief
India Successfully Tests First Hydrogen-Powered Train Coach At ICF Chennai
Pic Via Indian Railways
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Friday (25 July) that Indian Railways successfully tested the country’s first hydrogen-powered train coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, reported The Hindu.
ICF Chennai Leads Hydrogen Coach Breakthrough
In a social media post on X, Vaishnaw stated, “First Hydrogen powered coach (Driving Power Car) successfully tested at ICF, Chennai. India is developing 1,200 HP Hydrogen train. This will place India among the leaders in Hydrogen powered train technology.”
The initiative marks a significant leap in India’s sustainable rail transport mission.
The country is actively working on a 1,200-horsepower hydrogen train, designed to boost India’s global standing in green rail innovation.
Hydrogen Rail Plans for Heritage and Hill Routes
Each train is projected to cost Rs 80 crore, with Rs 70 crore for ground infrastructure per route. These trains are aimed at heritage and hilly regions.
Additionally, Indian Railways has launched a pilot project to retrofit a diesel-electric DEMU rake with a hydrogen fuel cell, supported by infrastructure worth Rs 111.83 crore. This train will run on the Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railway.
Though the current running cost of hydrogen trains is high, it is expected to decrease as usage scales up.
Beyond cost, hydrogen offers major environmental benefits and aligns with India’s zero-emission targets.
Last year, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri demonstrated a hydrogen-fuelled bus to the Bhutanese Prime Minister, showcasing India’s progress in green hydrogen mobility.
