VINOD BHAT
DELHI, May 28: India has moved a major step closer to launching eco-friendly rail transport, with the Ministry of Railways granting approval for the introduction of a 10-coach hydrogen fuel cell-powered DEMU train on the Northern Railway network. The ambitious project, seen as a landmark initiative in India’s green mobility mission, will initially operate on the Jind–Sonipat section in Haryana at a maximum speed of 75 kmph.
The approval was formally communicated by the Railway Board through an official sanction order issued to Northern Railway and the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO). The train, described as a “Hydrogen Fuel Cell based DPRS 1200 KW DEMU,” is expected to become one of the country’s most significant experiments in clean-energy rail transportation.
According to the order, the hydrogen-powered train consists of a 10-car formation, including a Driving Power Car (DPC) based on hydrogen fuel cell technology and passenger trailer coaches manufactured as per approved designs by Medha and the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). The project has been sanctioned specifically for operations on the dedicated Jind–Sonipat section under Northern Railway.
The Railway Board stated that the approval follows recommendations and certifications from RDSO and the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS). RDSO had earlier issued a Final Speed Certificate for the hydrogen trainset in March 2026 after technical assessments and safety evaluations.
The hydrogen train initiative is being viewed as a crucial part of Indian Railways’ broader sustainability roadmap aimed at reducing carbon emissions and transitioning toward cleaner fuel alternatives. Hydrogen fuel cell technology generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapour as a by-product. This makes the technology significantly cleaner compared to conventional diesel-powered trains.
Officials have imposed a series of strict operational and safety conditions before full-scale commercial deployment. The Railway Board directed Northern Railway to comply with all stipulations mentioned in RDSO’s Final Speed Certificate and other safety requirements before beginning actual operations.
The order also noted that the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has already granted a licence for the storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen gas at Jind in Haryana, where the hydrogen refuelling facility has been established. Authorities have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with all safety protocols related to hydrogen storage and handling.
Special emphasis has been laid on safety infrastructure and operational preparedness. Independent Safety Assessors, including TÜV SÜD, identified several observations and pending compliance points related to the hydrogen production plant, refuelling systems, and onboard traction battery systems. Railways have been directed to resolve these issues and submit final compliance reports before expansion of operations.
The Railway Board also highlighted concerns regarding the availability of only a single compressor unit for hydrogen fuel compression without backup redundancy. To ensure uninterrupted and fail-safe operations, Northern Railway has been instructed to maintain adequate spare parts and install a standby compressor unit within six months.
In another significant condition, the Railways mandated comprehensive training and certification for personnel associated with hydrogen operations, including refuelling station staff and onboard crew members. Authorities have also been asked to establish a 24×7 manned control room with full access to hydrogen refuelling data logs for constant monitoring.
The sanction order further underlined the need for high-level security arrangements around the hydrogen generation and refuelling facilities to prevent unauthorized access. Regular audits and maintenance checks have also been mandated for the trainset and associated infrastructure.
As part of operational planning, the Railway Board clarified that while the train will operate on the Jind–Sonipat route, maintenance activities are proposed at Shakurbasti. Therefore, permissions for movement of the trainset in hauled condition between the two locations must be obtained in accordance with railway rules.
Several technical modifications have also been ordered before large-scale deployment. These include installation of a Failure Indication cum Brake Application (FIBA) system, improved emergency access mechanisms, better locking systems, protective covers for emergency stop buttons, and larger display units for monitoring refuelling parameters.
The Railway Board additionally directed officials to explore alternate sources of green hydrogen fuel, signalling Indian Railways’ intention to gradually develop a broader ecosystem for sustainable fuel supply in the future.
For the first three months of operation, the hydrogen train will also be accompanied by specially trained technical staff to handle any en-route technical challenges and ensure safe functioning during the initial deployment phase.
The project is expected to place India among a growing list of countries experimenting with hydrogen-powered rail systems as an alternative to diesel traction. Railway officials believe that successful implementation on the Jind–Sonipat route could pave the way for wider deployment of hydrogen-powered trains across non-electrified and environmentally sensitive sections of the railway network in the coming years.
