Web desk(National Times)- India launched its first hydrogen-powered train on Friday, joining a small group of nations testing the technology as part of efforts to decarbonise rail transport and cut dependence on fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project is part of a broader push to modernise one of the world\u2019s largest rail networks while reducing carbon emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 10-coach train runs along an 89-kilometre route between Jind and Sonipat in India\u2019s northern state of Haryana, powered by a 1,200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officials described the system as the world\u2019s most powerful for a train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hydrogen trains use fuel cells to generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water and steam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a very significant day in the direction of self-reliant India and sustainable development,\u201d Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who flagged off the inaugural journey, said in a social media post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The railway ministry said the train was \u201cdeveloped entirely in India\u201d, although senior officials told reporters that some key components, including the fuel cells, were imported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ministry also inaugurated what it described as the country\u2019s largest railway hydrogen storage and refuelling facility in Jind, with a capacity of some 3,000 kilogrammes, to \u201csupport hydrogen-powered train operations\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pilot project cost around $12 million, according to a senior railway official who acknowledged it was significantly more expensive than a comparable conventional service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, he said costs were expected to fall as the technology matures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the launch, India joins countries such as Germany, Japan, China and the United States that are testing or operating hydrogen-powered trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India\u2019s railways have undergone a major transformation since the first passenger steam train puffed out in 1853 from Mumbai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, New Delhi has pumped billions of dollars in investment aimed at upgrading infrastructure, improving safety and expanding capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vast network carried 7.41bn passengers and 1.67bn tonnes of freight last year, official data shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India has also introduced its domestically designed Vande Bharat trains, which can reach speeds of up to 180 kilometres per hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, the country is building its first high-speed rail line using Japanese Shinkansen technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officials expect the bullet train, designed to operate at up to 320 kph, to begin service on its first section in 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Web desk(National Times)- India launched its first hydrogen-powered train on Friday, joining a small group of nations testing the technology as part of efforts to decarbonise rail transport and cut dependence on fossil fuels. The project is part of a broader push to modernise one of the world\u2019s largest rail networks while reducing carbon emissions. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":129558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n