News Desk
NEW DELHI — India is on the verge of a breakthrough in green transportation with the planned launch of its first hydrogen-powered train. The train, currently being built at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF), is expected to be ready by March 2025, according to U. Subba Rao, the factory’s general manager.
The project marks a significant step in the country’s push toward sustainable mobility, following its transition from diesel to electric locomotives. The Ministry of Railways has allocated ₹2,800 crore ($337 million) in the 2023-24 fiscal year for the development of 35 hydrogen fuel cell-based trains, reinforcing India’s commitment to zero-carbon emissions.
India’s hydrogen-powered train will also set a global benchmark. While most hydrogen train engines operate with 500 to 600 horsepower, the new locomotive boasts a 1,200-horsepower capacity, making it the most powerful of its kind.
The train will first run on the 89-kilometer Jind-Sonipat section in Northern Railway’s Delhi Division. Officials see it as a crucial pilot before scaling up hydrogen-powered rail transport across the country.
