India’s Hydrogen train to be the World’s longest and most powerful train

Indian Railways (IR) is rapidly working towards a cleaner and greener future for the country’s transportation sector. In this context, the Ministry of Railways is set to unveil the long-anticipated Hydrogen trainsets. 

The indigenously-developed hydrogen trains are being developed at Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF).The hydrogen fuel train set will provide larger benefits in the direction of green transportation technology to support zero carbon emission goals as a clean energy source. In fiscal year 2023-24, the Ministry of Railways allocated Rs 2800 crore to develop 35 hydrogen fuel cell-based trains.

The national transporter has taken up a state-of-the-art project of development of the first Hydrogen Train on a pilot basis by retrofitment of a Hydrogen Fuel cell on a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake. The specifications for this fully indigenously developed train have been prepared by the Research Design & Standards Organization (RDSO).

In a written statement in Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “This is slated to be among the longest hydrogen trains in the world presently. It will also be a Hydrogen train among the maximum powered Hydrogen trains in the world.”

The Union Minister further said, “Along with the train, concomitant on-ground infrastructure to refill hydrogen is envisioned with an integrated hydrogen production-storage-dispensation facility. Necessary safety approvals for the facility layout from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) are in place.”