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Ashwini Vaishnaw
Indian Railways is set to launch India’s first hydrogen-powered train, as stated by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday.
In a video post on the social media platform X, Vaishnaw shared a glimpse of India’s first hydrogen-powered train.
Bharat's First Hydrogen Train! 🇮🇳
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 12, 2025
Coming soon… pic.twitter.com/Mtq72zd1Dd
All you need to know about India’s first hydrogen-powered train
The country’s first hydrogen-powered train service will operate on the route connecting Jind and Sonipat in Haryana.
With this, India is set to become the fifth country globally, alongside Germany, France, Sweden, and China, to deploy trains powered by hydrogen technology.
According to Indian Railways, the new train will be the world's most powerful and longest hydrogen-powered train, with a capacity to transport 2,600 passengers.
The testing of the first hydrogen-powered train coach was completed at Chennai's Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
The technology behind these trains is that each power car will carry 220 kg of hydrogen in specially designed cylinders pressurised to 350 bar.
The system will power traction motors through fuel cells to generate electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen, releasing only water vapour as a by-product.
As hydrogen is highly flammable in nature, safety remains a critical focus here.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies have been conducted to simulate potential leak scenarios, guaranteeing robust mitigation measures.
These new trains will be equipped with multiple safety systems, including pressure relief valves, leak detection, flame sensors, temperature monitors, and optimised ventilation.
Main components of the project
Initiated by the Northern Railway zone in 2020-21, the project encompasses two main components:
Conversion of two conventional 1600 HP diesel power cars into hydrogen fuel cell-powered traction systems;
Establishment of a hydrogen storage and fuelling facility at Jind, Haryana.
German safety auditor TÜV SÜD has been commissioned for an independent assessment of safety standards. The engineering design and conversion are being conducted at ICF Chennai, while Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives is handling the technical integration.
The fuelling facility at Jind will store 2,320 kg of hydrogen at low pressure and 680 kg at high pressure.
Built to standards set by the Petroleum Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the new facility will have supporting infrastructure like a dedicated power supply, firefighting systems, and access roads.