India’s railway technology has achieved another historic milestone. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced that the country’s first hydrogen-powered train has been successfully tested at the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
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Hydrogen-powered train: India’s railway technology has achieved another historic milestone. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Friday announced that the country’s first hydrogen-powered train has been successfully tested at the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF). This coach is a driving power car, which has been developed with completely indigenous technology.
Sharing this information on the social media platform X, Ashwini Vaishnav said that India is now also working on a 1200 horsepower hydrogen train, which will put the country in the list of global leaders in this technology.
What is a hydrogen-powered train?
Hydrogen trains are much more environmentally friendly than diesel and electric trains. They neither emit smoke nor polluting gases like carbon dioxide. This train works on hydrogen fuel cell technology, in which energy is generated by the reaction of hydrogen gas and oxygen.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that under the scheme named “Hydrogen for Heritage”, a plan has been made to run 35 hydrogen trains on heritage and hill routes. The estimated cost of one train will be ₹ 80 crore, while ₹ 70 crore will be spent on preparing ground infrastructure on each route.
First Hydrogen powered coach (Driving Power Car) successfully tested at ICF, Chennai.
India is developing 1,200 HP Hydrogen train. This will place India among the leaders in Hydrogen powered train technology. pic.twitter.com/2tDClkGBx0
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) July 25, 2025
Where will the first hydrogen train run?
Indian Railways has decided to equip Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) with hydrogen fuel on Jind-Sonipat section under a pilot project. Its total cost has been reported to be ₹ 111.83 crore. This technology will not only bring about a change in fuel consumption but will also strengthen the net zero carbon emission target.
Why is this initiative special?
Although the running cost of hydrogen trains will be high in the initial phase, but as its number increases, the cost will come down. The biggest thing is that this step can prove to be a fast moving India towards clean energy and green transportation.
