India will become the fifth country in the world, after Germany, France, Sweden, and China, to operate Hydrogen powered trains.

Railways

German company to do safety audit of India’s Hydrogen trains

India's first hydrogen train will undergo trial runs in December 2024, with TUV-SUD conducting a safety audit. The Indian Railways plans to introduce 35 hydrogen trains under the Hydrogen for Heritage initiative. Another five hydrogen fuel cell-based maintenance vehicles are being developed at Rs 10 crore each.

By Twesh Mishra, ET Bureau

The Railways has roped in Germany’s TUV-SUD for third party safety audit of India's first hydrogen train. According to officials aware of the plan, trial runs are expected to begin in December 2024 for this rolling stock. Besides there, another five Hydrogen Fuel Cell Based Tower Cars (maintenance vehicles) at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore per unit are also being developed 

“The Indian Railways (IR) will have 35 trains under the Hydrogen for Heritage initiative at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crores per train with another Rs 70 crores investment in ground infrastructure per route on various heritage or hilly routes,” the official told ET.

With this, India will become the fifth country in the world, after Germany, France, Sweden, and China, to operate Hydrogen powered trains.

“The System integration Unit battery and two fuel unit synchronization tests have been successfully done,” the official said.

Another pilot project for retro-fitment of Hydrogen Fuel cell on existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake, along with ground infrastructure, is also underway. This train is planned to be run on the Jind –Sonipat section of Northern Railway. “Integration of prototype train is planned in Integral Coach Factory, Chennai,” the official added.

Hydrogen for this train in Haryana is said to be supplied from a 1-megawatt (MW) Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser at Jind.

A statement from GreenH Electrolysis said this electrolyser will operate round the clock producing approximately 430 kg/day of hydrogen. “The refuelling infrastructure at Jind will also have a 3,000 kg hydrogen storage, hydrogen compressor, and two hydrogen dispensers with pre-cooler integration, allowing for quick refuelling of the trains,” the statement said.Whatsapp Banner

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