Chandigarh: India's first hydrogen-powered train, to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Haryana's Jind railway station on Friday, is equipped with multi-layered safety systems capable of detecting hydrogen leaks, heat, flames and smoke.
The train will operate on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railway, connecting Jind Junction, Gohana Junction and Sonipat.
Unlike conventional electric trains that draw power from overhead lines, the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train set generates electricity on board through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapour and heat as its only by-products.
"In a sense, the train once again carries its own source of power, as steam and diesel locomotives once did. But instead of burning traditional fuels such as coal or diesel, hydrogen generates electricity inside the train using oxygen from the atmosphere, eliminating combustion and dependence on an external power supply," an official statement issued on Thursday said.
Hydrogen-powered trains remain at a nascent stage globally. Germany was the first country to introduce commercial hydrogen passenger trains, while France, Italy, China, Japan and a few other countries are pursuing pilot projects or limited deployments, typically using two to four coaches for regional services.
In contrast, the Indian Railways has configured its train as a 10-coach passenger train with a capacity of around 2,600 passengers, demonstrating the scalability of hydrogen-powered rail transport for high-capacity operations.
The route has been selected to demonstrate the operational viability, safety and reliability of hydrogen-powered passenger services under regular operating conditions.
To support operations, India has also established the country's largest railway hydrogen refuelling facility at Jind, creating a complete hydrogen rail ecosystem comprising rolling stock, hydrogen storage, compression and dispensing infrastructure, safety systems, and operational protocols.
The Indian Railways is also exploring the deployment of hydrogen technology on heritage railways, including the Kalka-Shimla route, by leveraging experience gained through the Jind-Sonipat project.
The train is equipped with continuous monitoring systems that detect hydrogen leaks, abnormal heat, flames and smoke along with non-stop ventilation which ensures that even if a small amount of hydrogen leaks, it is safely dispersed into the open air instead of accumulating. It also has an automatic shut-off system which can cut off the hydrogen supply immediately if any abnormality is detected.
The loco-pilot's cabin has also been designed with dedicated safety features, including an emergency mode that allows the train to be moved to safety and a display providing real-time information on the health of the entire system.
The Jind hydrogen plant has similar protections, including leak and flame detectors, automatic shutdown systems, water spray arrangements and fire alarms.
Unlike diesel locomotives that burn fuel to generate mechanical power, the hydrogen-powered train carries a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Hydrogen stored in onboard cylinders combines with oxygen from the air inside the fuel cell to generate electricity that powers the traction motors. The only direct by-products of the electrochemical reaction are water vapour and heat, with no combustion, smoke or tailpipe carbon emissions.
The statement said the launch of India's first hydrogen-powered train marks the latest chapter in the evolution of railway propulsion, reflecting the country's transition from coal and steam to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
It added that rapid electrification over the past 12 years has significantly reduced dependence on imported diesel, and with more than 99 per cent of India's broad-gauge network now electrified, the Indian Railways is taking the next step towards clean rail mobility.