In a significant move towards green and sustainable transportation, the Indian Railways, on 27th May, approved the introduction of a 10-car Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based train on the dedicated Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway.
The trainset will soon commence operation at a maximum speed of 75 kmph, powered by a 1200 KW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, the ministry said.
“The Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana has been identified as the pilot route for these operations. An indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility has been set up at Jind for the train set. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has granted the required licence for storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen gas at the site,” the Railways Ministry said in an official statement.
Regarding how Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based technology is used in trains and its relevance, the ministry said, “Hydrogen fuel cell technology generates electricity through a chemical reaction using hydrogen, with water vapour as the only emission, making it a clean alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based traction systems. Hydrogen-based rail systems are increasingly being recognised globally as a promising solution for sustainable mobility.”
According to the Ministry of Railways, with this project, India has joined a select group of countries such as Germany, Japan, China and the United States that are exploring the use of hydrogen for cleaner rail transportation.
“As the technology is still at a nascent stage, only a limited number of countries are currently operating or testing such systems,” the ministry said.
