SYLLABUS

GS-3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenisation of technology and developing new technology.

Context: 

Recently, Indian Railways has successfully tested the country's First hydrogen-powered coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

More on the News

• India is developing a 1,200-horsepower hydrogen-powered train, positioning the country among global leaders in hydrogen train technology.
• India’s first hydrogen-powered train is scheduled to be rolled out by the end of August 2025.
• It is planned to operate on the Jind–Sonipat route under Northern Railways.
• Northern Railways is setting up a hydrogen production plant to fuel these trains.

Hydrogen-powered train

• These trains operate using hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, presenting a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional diesel trains or electric trains dependent on overhead power lines. 
• The fuel cells produce electricity through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapor and heat as byproducts—making these trains a truly zero-emission transportation solution.

Functioning of hydrogen fuel trains

• Every train requires a power source and in this case, it is hydrogen. Electricity is generated from hydrogen and stored in onboard batteries. 
• This stored electricity, along with power managed by rectifiers and other electrical systems, is then supplied to the traction motors mounted on the train’s axles, enabling movement.

Features of India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train

• The converted train will be a 10-coach DEMU (Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit) with two 1600 HP power cars.
• The train will be non-air-conditioned and will have ten coaches—two hydrogen-fuelled power cars at both ends and eight passenger coaches.
• The train is designed for speeds of up to 110 km/h and will resemble conventional short-distance passenger trains.
• Hydrogen cylinders mounted on each power car will store 220 kg of hydrogen at 350 bar pressure.

Hydrogen Mobility Initiative

• This project is part of the broader “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative, which aims to deploy 35 hydrogen-powered trains across heritage and hill routes in India.
• The estimated cost is ₹80 crore per train and ₹70 crore per route for supporting ground infrastructure.
• A separate pilot project is underway to retrofit an existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) with a hydrogen fuel cell at a cost of ₹111.83 crore.

Significance of hydrogen fuel cells

• They produce zero direct CO₂ emissions, emitting only water vapor and heat, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel trains.
• Ideal for non-electrified and remote routes, offering a sustainable solution where electrification is costly or impractical.
• Hydrogen-powered locomotives can run on existing railway tracks, making them a low-infrastructure alternative for green mobility.
• Enhance energy efficiency and fuel economy over the long term as the technology matures and scales.

Challenges 

• Limited refueling network: Hydrogen fueling stations are few and far between, especially in remote regions, so infrastructure needs to be built from scratch.
• High hydrogen production costs: green hydrogen (produced via electrolysis) is significantly more expensive than conventional diesel or grid power.
• Limited operational range: On-board hydrogen energy density is lower than diesel, requiring large tanks and frequent refueling.
• Lack of unified standards: There is an absence of regulatory codes and certification systems specific to hydrogen trains.

Source: 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indias-first-hydrogen-powered-train-coach-successfully-tested-at-icf-chennai-union-minister-ashwini-vaishnaw/article69854506.ece https://ddnews.gov.in/en/india-tests-first-hydrogen-train-coach-boosts-green-rail-push/ https://www.deccanherald.com/india/icf-to-roll-out-indias-first-hydrogen-powered-train-by-august-31-3648919 https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/04/01/clean-energy/india-rolls-out-most-powerful-hydrogen-train-in-trials https://indianexpress.com/article/business/indian-railways-first-hydrogen-powered-coach-10152909/

Review Source

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-99-8631-6_11 https://www.eai.in/blog/2024/02/green-hydrogen-applications-in-railways.html