**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1618 regarding hydrogen-fuelled trains, scheduled for December 10, 2025. It outlines Indian Railways' initiative to develop hydrogen-powered train technology on a pilot basis. A hydrogen plant has been established in Jind to produce hydrogen via electrolysis for the new train-set.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Overview:**
* Indian Railways has undertaken a state-of-the-art project to run a hydrogen train on a pilot basis.
* Specifications are framed by the Research, Design & Standards Organization (RDSO).
* **Hydrogen Train-Set Status:**
* Manufacturing of the Hydrogen Train-set has been completed.
* A hydrogen plant has been conceived at Jind to produce hydrogen for the train-set via electrolysis.
* **Hydrogen Train-Set Features:**
* Designed and developed in India, demonstrating the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
* Currently the world's longest (10 coaches) and most powerful (2400 kW) Hydrogen Train-set on a Broad Gauge platform.
* Comprises two Driving Power Cars (DPCs) of 1200 kW each, totalling 2400 kW along with eight passenger cars.
* Zero CO2 emissions, with water vapour as the only emission.
* Major step in the development of next-generation fuel technology in Railways.
* **Cost Comparison:**
* Direct comparison of the cost of hydrogen-fuelled trains with established traction systems at this stage would not present a fair cost comparison as the technology is being developed on a pilot basis.
* **Commitment:**
* The project establishes the commitment of Indian Railways towards advancements in alternative energy-powered train travel, ensuring a cleaner and greener future.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Railways**
* **Impact:** Advancement in alternative energy-powered train travel
* **Action Required:** Further development of hydrogen traction technology.
**Research, Design & Standards Organization (RDSO)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for specification of the technology.
* **Action Required:** Ongoing framing of specifications for the technology.
**Citizens of India**
* **Impact:** A cleaner and greener future through alternative energy.
* **Action Required:** No immediate action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: Implementing a project for running hydrogen-fuelled trains.
Hydrogen Train-set: A prototype train developed to demonstrate hydrogen-powered train technology.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: The project demonstrates commitment to self-reliance in railway technology.
Research, Design & Standards Organization (RDSO): Organization that framed the specifications for the pilot hydrogen train.
Jind: Location where a hydrogen plant has been built to provide hydrogen for the train-set.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1618
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025
HYDROGEN FUELLED TRAINS
†1618.SHRI TANUJ PUNIA:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the timeline by when green hydrogen-fuelled
trains are likely to be operated in the Country;
(b) whether the trains running on green hydrogen-fuel cost more
than the trains running on other energy sources and if so, the
details thereof; and
(c) the details of the measures being taken to reduce the cost of
green hydrogen-fuelled trains?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): Indian Railways has taken up a state-of-the-art project for
running of its first hydrogen train, on pilot basis, as per
specifications framed by the Research, Design & Standards
Organization (RDSO) to demonstrate the use of hydrogen powered
train technology in Railways.
Manufacturing of Hydrogen Train-set has been completed. For
providing hydrogen for use in this train-set, a hydrogen plant has
Contd.2/--2-
been conceived at Jind. In this plant, hydrogen is being produced
using electrolysis process which is key element of green hydrogen
generation.
Prominent features of Hydrogen Train-set are as below:
Designed and Developed in India demonstrating Indian
Railways’ commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Presently, it is the world’s longest (10 coaches) and most
powerful (2400 kW) Hydrogen Train-set on Broad Gauge
platform.
The train-set comprises of two Driving Power Cars (DPCs) of
1200 kW each, totalling 2400 kW along with eight passenger
cars.
Zero CO2 emissions; only emission is water vapour.
Major step in development of next generation fuel technology
in Railways.
This project involved designing from first stages, prototype
manufacturing and first-time development of hydrogen traction
technology in Indian Railways. As the Hydrogen Train-set and its
infrastructure have been developed on a pilot basis, direct
comparison of the cost of hydrogen-fuelled trains with established
traction systems at this stage would not present a fair cost
comparison.
The project establishes the commitment of Indian Railways towards
advancements in alternative energy-powered train travel thereby
ensuring a cleaner and greener future for the country’s
transportation sector.
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