The upcoming train service will operate on the Jind–Sonipat section under Northern Railway and is expected to mark India’s entry into hydrogen-based railway technology aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector.
According to officials, the train will use hydrogen fuel cell technology to generate electricity required for propulsion, replacing conventional fossil-fuel-driven systems. The hydrogen-powered DEMU is designed to achieve a maximum speed of 75 kilometres per hour.
Railway authorities said the project forms part of the government’s broader push toward green energy solutions and sustainable rail operations. Hydrogen fuel cells generate power through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapour and heat as by-products, making the technology environmentally friendly.
The introduction of the hydrogen-powered train is also being viewed as an important pilot project that could pave the way for similar eco-friendly rail services across other routes in the future.
Officials stated that the Northern Railway corridor was selected for the project after technical assessments and operational feasibility studies. Preparations related to infrastructure, safety systems and hydrogen storage arrangements are expected to be completed before the train becomes operational.
Globally, only a few countries have successfully introduced hydrogen-powered passenger trains, and Indian Railways hopes the project will strengthen its transition toward low-emission transportation systems.
The move aligns with India’s larger clean energy ambitions and efforts to modernise railway infrastructure through the adoption of alternative fuel technologies.
