Photo credit: PIB

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways has approved running India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell-based train on the Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railway, entering the elite club of nations including Germany, Japan, China, and the United States.The futuristic train will have 10 coaches and will be powered by a 1200-kilowatt engine. It is expected to operate at a maximum speed of 75 kilometres per hour.The technology used in the train generates electricity through a chemical reaction using hydrogen, with water vapour as the only byproduct, making it a clean alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based engines.According to ministry of railways, an indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility has been set up at Jind, in Haryana, for the train and the required licence has been granted by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) for the storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen gas.A maintenance facility has also been proposed at Shakurbasti, in Delhi, for which necessary safety provisions, regular audits and standard operating procedures are being ensured.Countries around the world are actively exploring the potential of using hydrogen for clean rail transportation.The initiative aligns with the country’s broader green mobility and climate goals, supporting the objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to make India a global hub for the production, utilisation and export of green hydrogen.By introducing hydrogen-powered trains, Indian Railways is contributing to the mission’s goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions and promoting clean energy across sectors, while advancing the country’s transition towards net-zero emissions by 2070.