India's First Hydrogen Train Nears Launch, Haryana Pilot

• India’s first hydrogen-powered train is close to commissioning
• A pilot run is planned on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana
• The hydrogen plant at Jind is in final commissioning stage

India's first hydrogen-powered train is almost ready for commissioning as the final preparations for a pilot run on the Jind–Sonipat section in Haryana are going on, as per a state government statement.

The project is a great step forward in the Indian Railways' quest for environmental-friendly and more sustainable modes of transportation.

The Northern Railway played a major role in the implementation of this project, which has now reached an important landmark with the supply of a stable and uninterrupted 11 kV power for the Jind hydrogen production plant. This power supply will be consumed for hydrogen production during the whole process from train commissioning to regular operations.

The hydrogen plant, with a capacity for storing 3,000 kg, is about to get completely operational. Meanwhile, the hydrogen for the locomotive is being generated by the process of electrolysis, which is in line with India's effort to utilize green energy sources.

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The Haryana Chief Secretary, Anurag Rastogi, has recently undergone a project discussion with the staff of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam. The Chief Secretary, during the discussion, asked the operators to do a systematic check on the power supply system to avert stoppages.

Also, he has pointed out the importance of making the power backup system more reliable, and of improving the combustion response measures in such a way that they would be able to attend to troubles immediately and in a safe manner.

The pilot project was earlier brought to the attention of the Lok Sabha by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who announced that Indian Railways had launched the country’s first hydrogen train initiative.

Vaishnaw stated, “Manufacturing of the hydrogen train-set has been completed. For providing hydrogen for use in this train-set, a hydrogen plant has been conceived at Jind. In this plant, hydrogen is being produced using electrolysis process, which is a key element of green hydrogen generation”.

The train would be running according to the specifications set by the Research, Design & Standards Organisation, with the Jind–Sonipat route being used as a testing corridor for the demonstration of hydrogen-based train technology in India.