Hydrogen Train: Indian Railways has launched a hydrogen train to provide pollution-free travel to tourists on heritage routes. Under the pilot project, India’s first hydrogen train will be started in December 2023 between Sonipat and Jind in Haryana. Hydrogen to this train is being supplied by rail system integrator Medha Servo Drives. At the same time, this train has been developed in the workshop of Northern Railway. It is expected that by operating this train, Indian Railways can save approximately 23 million dollars. The government currently plans to run 35 hydrogen trains in the country. The specialty of these trains is that they will run at a faster speed than the Rajdhani.
Where will the Hydrogen Train run?
According to media reports, hydrogen trains in India will run on those heritage routes of Indian Railways, on which diesel engine trains are currently running. All these heritage routes are narrow gauge routes. These heritage routes include Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Kalka-Shimla Railway, Matheran Hill Railway, Kangra Valley, Bilmora Waghai and Marwar-Devgarh Madaria. These are all narrow gauge routes.
First Hydrogen Train started in Haryana
Indian Railways has started the first hydrogen train running on heritage routes between Sonipat and Jind in Haryana. Under the pilot project, it has started testing it on this route from December 2023. The pilot project involves retrofitting diesel electric multiple unit rakes from diesel to hydrogen powered trains on the Sonipat-Jind section. The operation of the hydrogen train on this route covering a distance of about 89 kilometers is expected to be inaugurated soon.
Hydrogen train will run on heritage routes
Starting from December 2023, hydrogen trains will run only on heritage routes. Its objective is to make the heritage routes pollution free. According to the government’s plan, a hydrogen-powered prototype train has been prepared under the Indian Railways Pilot Project, which was tested between Sonipat and Jind in Haryana.
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What is the green hydrogen policy of the government?
The Government of India had announced to implement the Green Hydrogen Policy in the year 2022. Its objective is to reduce carbon emissions in India. Under the Green Hydrogen Policy, the government is offering development of hydrogen gas based manufacturing sector for production, connectivity to Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) and free transmission for 25 years if the production plant is commissioned before June 2025. Additionally, producers will be allowed to build bunkers near ports to store green ammonia for export by shipping. Under this policy, manufacturers of green hydrogen and ammonia have been allowed to purchase renewable energy from the power exchange or install renewable energy capacity anywhere on their own or through another producer. It also allows producers to deposit any surplus of renewable energy generated with power distribution companies for 30 days and use it as per requirement. Along with this, the main objective of this policy is also to promote the use of green hydrogen in the field of transportation.
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