Overview
- Indian Railways validated a 1,200 HP hydrogen-powered driving power car at ICF Chennai, marking the transition from testing to pilot deployment.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a 35-train plan with costs of about Rs 80 crore per train and roughly Rs 70 crore per route for supporting infrastructure.
- The inaugural service will run on the Jind–Sonipat corridor under Northern Railway, covering 356 km with two daily round trips to gather performance and fuel-economy data.
- Medha Servo Drives will handle retrofitting at ICF; trains are planned with hydrogen power units at both ends and eight intermediate coaches, accommodating about 2,600 passengers.
- Hydrogen trains promise zero tailpipe emissions, flexible operations on non-electrified lines, and 20–25 minute refuelling, but deployment faces high upfront costs, limited hydrogen infrastructure, and the current dominance of grey hydrogen.