India's First Green Hydrogen Train: A Leap Towards Sustainable Rail Transport

Hindustan Times - India · 29 Jun 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Science and technology Mains · GS3 Science and technology High relevance

Indian Railways successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind-Sonipat line, marking a significant step in India's transition to clean energy and reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector.

Key points

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology: The train uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, emitting only water vapour, making it a zero-emission alternative to diesel-powered trains.

Retrofitted DEMU: The train is a retrofitted diesel electric multiple unit (DEMU) converted by Medha Servo Drives in partnership with Canada's Ballard Power Systems, showcasing indigenous technological collaboration.

Operational Details: The train has a top speed of 120kmph but will operate at 75kmph, with a range of 250km per refuelling cycle, powered by two driving power cars of 1,200 kW each.

Refuelling Infrastructure: A 1 MW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser at Jind produces 420-430 kg of hydrogen daily, with 3,000kg storage capacity, ensuring efficient refuelling.

Hydrogen for Heritage Programme: The initiative targets 35 non-electrified or heritage routes, such as Nilgiris and Darjeeling, where electrification is challenging.

Global Context: India joins Germany, Japan, China, and the US in developing hydrogen trains, with Germany's Alstom Coradia iLint being the first operational since 2018.

[GS3-Environment] The project aligns with India's net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the transportation sector.

[GS3-Economy] The pilot project costs ₹80 crore per train and ₹70 crore for route infrastructure, highlighting the economic challenges of scaling green technology.

Way Forward: India should invest in R&D to reduce hydrogen production costs, expand refuelling infrastructure, and integrate hydrogen trains into the National Rail Plan for sustainable urban and regional mobility.

Key terms

DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit)

A type of train powered by onboard diesel engines that generate electricity to drive traction motors. Its relevance for UPSC lies in its widespread use in Indian Railways and its potential for retrofitting with green technologies like hydrogen fuel cells.

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Electrolyser

A technology that uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. For UPSC, it is crucial for understanding green hydrogen production, a key component of India's National Hydrogen Mission aimed at achieving energy independence.

Hydrogen for Heritage Programme

An Indian Railways initiative to deploy hydrogen-powered trains on non-electrified and heritage routes. It is significant for UPSC as it combines environmental sustainability with the preservation of India's railway heritage, a topic under GS1 (Indian Heritage and Culture).

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

A device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapour as a by-product. For UPSC, it is significant as a clean energy technology that can help India meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.