India to Launch World's Longest, Most Powerful Hydrogen Train

India launched its first hydrogen train project to mark global benchmarks for sustainable rail travel.

The latest innovation by Indian Railways aims to promote clean and sustainable transport with work starting on India's first-ever hydrogen train project. Aimed at making it one of the longest and most powerful hydrogen trains in the world, this new standard set from the project on hydrogen-powered rails sets a milestone for India as it pushes itself further to seek a greener and cleaner India.

This train will be the first of its kind undertaken to build in a pilot project by Indian Railways on retrofitting hydrogen fuel cells on a DEMU rake. This will be entirely designed and developed in the country since it will require preparation of detailed specifications for this train by RDSO, which is the technical arm of the Indian Railways. The point of the project is that the hydrogen train should meet sustainability goals and become a scale used in global benchmarking in the transportation sector.

Hydrogen fuel technology has caught up in counties like Germany and Japan; very slowly, though, it becomes a popular trend all over because it is just a prospect of alternative to regular fossil fuels. Hydrogen is being used with trains, thereby gaining grounds over one single aspect-they clear out emissions while only water vapors come about as a residue, making this very suitable to countries like India, which strive to reduce the carbon footprint in addition to oil dependency.

In fact, the railways will also lay down the supporting infrastructure to establish hydrogen-fuelled train service. The said project would integrate a production facility, a storage facility, and a dispensing facility for hydrogen. It shall ensure the hydrogen fuel used for the trains shall be produced as well as safely stored as it has the laid-down safety clearance from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation.

It will be one of the world's longest hydrogen trains. The operating efficiency and capability of the train can be a breakthrough. This initiative is a major step for the country in reducing the carbon footprint of the railway sector, besides showcasing its capabilities in indigenously developing cutting-edge technologies. This project not only integrates efficient rail systems and fuel cell technology but also optimizes the generation of power in one of the world's most powerful hydrogen trains.

This is indicative of Indian Railways commitment to a future of traveling on sustainable and alternative energies. As being the backbone of Indian transportation, Indian Railways has focused on more green initiatives in the past years-from electrifying railway lines, using solar power, to the newest addition in this series: hydrogen trains, which could propel the transportation system toward a low-carbon future.

This hydrogen train project would eventually come into existence, mainly ignoring the environmental aspect but improving the efficiency of rail travel in India by providing a green solution that covers long distances and high capacities.

It may reduce dependence on diesel fuel, operational costs, and make sure the Indian railway network remains viable for the future.

First, the hydrogen train will be introduced on a pilot basis to test whether it really can work effectively and efficiently under actual conditions. It may later pave the way for a broader application of such trains across India to enhance rail travel in more environmentally friendly and cleaner ways.

This, of course is completely self-sustaining hence not depending upon the external supply for hydrogen refuelling. This vision falls within itself by the integrated vision of the government to make India a world leader in renewable energy technologies and encouragement of innovation in transportation.

This is evident in its previous commitments, including the introduction of solar-powered trains and its ongoing electrification of the entire rail network. The hydrogen train project further underscores this vision, which is the capacity of railways to be at the forefront of the adoption of green technologies while at the same time improving operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

It would set an example to be followed for other countries and train operating companies as this first hydrogen-powered train in India is the one of its kind worldwide in moving progressively toward zero-emission rail travel through innovation in technology and sustainability. The pioneer project would always be remembered for a long time not only within the rail sectors of India but also among all other transportation sectors across the world.

Main Characteristics of the Hydrogen Train Project:
Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The hydrogen train will have hydrogen fuel cells, which can be considered one of the cleaner sources of energy. The resultant emission is solely water vapor into the atmosphere; hence, emissions are zero.
Indigenous Development: The project will be based on indigenous development, which further goes to depict the technological acumen in transportation sectors of India.
Hydrogen Train is the World's Longest and Most Powerful : The longest hydrogen train on this planet: Enhanced operational efficiency: One of the longest, the most powerful, and high-operational efficient hydrogen trains of this world.

Harmful greenhouse gases do not exist while re-fueling this train and is also going to be part of sustainable infra.
This reflects Indian Railways' commitment toward the reduction in carbon footprint as a result of its operations and also toward fulfilling India's goal for green energy.
As the pilot project moves forward, Indian Railways will continue to refine the technology and infrastructure needed to support hydrogen-powered trains. If successful, the project could revolutionize the future of rail travel in India and contribute to a global shift toward cleaner, more sustainable transportation systems.

Source: Rajya Sabha Reply, February 7, 2025