Hydrogen Thunder: India’s 1,200 HP Train Prototype Stuns the World

Image Source : Jagran Josh

Milestone Achievement

Indian Railways has successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered train coach—called the Driving Power Car—at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai on July 25, 2025.

* The coach is part of a 1,200 horsepower hydrogen train under development

* This positions India among global leaders in zero-emission rail technology

* Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared visuals of the test run, calling it a landmark moment

Hydrogen for Heritage Initiative

The test marks a major step in the ₹2,800 crore Hydrogen for Heritage programme aimed at deploying 35 hydrogen trains on heritage and hilly routes.

* Each train is estimated to cost ₹80 crore, with ₹70 crore per route for infrastructure

* A ₹111.83 crore pilot project is underway to retrofit a DEMU rake with hydrogen fuel cells on the Jind–Sonipat route

Technical Highlights and Future Plans

* The hydrogen coach can reach speeds of 110 km/h and carry 2,638 passengers

* An 8-coach version is in development, expected to be the world’s longest hydrogen-powered passenger train

* Government has allocated ₹600 crore for fuelling and safety infrastructure

* Commercial rollout on the Kalka–Shimla route may be delayed due to terrain-specific optimizations

Green Vision and Global Impact

This breakthrough supports India’s net-zero carbon goals and showcases its manufacturing prowess under Make in India. Hydrogen trains produce only water and heat, offering a clean alternative to diesel locomotives.

Sources: CNBC TV18, Mathrubhumi, The Hindu, UNI India, Gulf News