Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India has secured the intellectual property rights for its native hydrogen train technology. This move opens doors for potential future exports, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the nation’s inaugural hydrogen fuel cell-powered train in Haryana. Vaishnaw emphasized the global significance of hydrogen as a fuel and highlighted Indian Railways’ efforts in promoting its use.
The newly unveiled train features a 2,400 kW hydrogen propulsion system developed entirely in India. Minister Vaishnaw praised this achievement as a testament to India’s self-reliant vision, aligning with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The project symbolizes a significant stride towards sustainable energy, forming part of the railway modernization agenda pursued under PM Modi’s leadership for over a decade.
Vaishnaw expressed pride in the Prime Minister’s inauguration of India’s maiden hydrogen train journey from Jind. He underscored the importance of indigenous innovation, emphasizing that India now holds complete intellectual property rights for the hydrogen propulsion technology, potentially enabling future technology exports. The hydrogen fuel cell-powered train, comprising ten coaches, will operate on a 90-km route between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, completing the journey in approximately two hours.
Powered by a 3,200 HP propulsion system, the train utilizes hydrogen to generate onboard electricity, emitting only water vapor and positioning itself as an environmentally friendly mode of rail transport. This development places India among a select group of nations operating hydrogen-powered railways, marking a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of green mobility. Indian Railways’ transition towards cleaner energy, following the electrification of over 99% of the broad gauge network, signifies a strategic shift away from diesel reliance, supporting India’s sustainable development objectives.
