India is on track to join the league of nations pioneering green rail transport, with the country's first hydrogen-powered train expected soon, according to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In a post on the social media platform X on August 12, Vaishnaw shared, "Bharat's first hydrogen train coming soon."
India Tests First Hydrogen-Powered Rail Coach
Earlier, in July 2025, Vaishnaw had announced that Indian Railways is currently developing a 1,200-horsepower hydrogen train and has successfully tested the country’s first hydrogen-powered coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
"First hydrogen-powered coach (Driving Power Car) successfully tested at ICF, Chennai. India is developing a 1,200 HP hydrogen train. This will place India among the leaders in hydrogen-powered train technology," the minister posted on X in the last week of July 2025.
According to Vaishnaw, this development is part of Indian Railways’ broader push toward sustainable and carbon-free transportation.
Earlier, in 2023, Vaishnaw had informed the Rajya Sabha of the government’s plan to roll out 35 hydrogen-powered trains under the "Hydrogen for Heritage" initiative. These trains are set to operate on various heritage and hill routes at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore per train, with an additional Rs 70 crore earmarked for ground infrastructure per route.
Pilot to Retrofit DEMU With Hydrogen Fuel Cells
In addition to new builds, a pilot project has also been launched to retrofit a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake with hydrogen fuel cells. The Rs 111.83 crore project includes the necessary infrastructure and will see the train operate on the Jind–Sonipat section of the Northern Railway in the near future.
While the exact operational cost of hydrogen-powered trains in India is yet to be determined, officials anticipate that initial expenses will be higher than those of traditional systems. However, these costs are expected to decline as the technology scales up.
Hydrogen trains are seen as a major step toward achieving zero carbon emissions in the transport sector, offering a clean, renewable energy alternative with long-term environmental benefits.
