Indian Railways is going to launch hydrogen trains to achieve the net zero carbon emission target by 2030. The first hydrogen train will start in the 2024-25 financial year. Testing of the train will start by the end of this year. It will be run in the Jind-Sonipat section of Delhi division. Rs 2800 crore has been allocated for the hydrogen train project.
New Delhi: Indian Railways has set a target of making itself a ‘net zero carbon emitter’ by the year 2030. For this, the Railways is taking many new steps. This also includes running trains running on hydrogen. The first hydrogen train can start next year i.e. in 2024-25. Before this, its testing will start by the end of this year. This first hydrogen train will run on the 89 km long Jind-Sonipat route of Delhi Division. A senior railway official said, ‘India’s first hydrogen train will run in the Delhi Division of Northern Railway. This train will start its trial run in December.’
Preparations to run 35 hydrogen trains
This project is part of the railway’s larger plan, under which it wants to run 35 hydrogen trains on heritage and hilly routes. This project has been named ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’.
Hydrogen trains are beneficial for the environment. They do not cause pollution at all. This will help the railways achieve its goal of making itself a ‘net zero carbon emitter’ by 2030.
For this, the railways is taking many more steps. These include the use of power-saving HOG technology and LED lights in trains, low-power equipment and planting trees. Apart from this, the railways is also installing solar plants at stations and on land.
Allocation of Rs 2800 crore
Railways is spending a lot of money on the hydrogen train project. In this year’s budget, Rs 2800 crore has been kept for 35 hydrogen trains. Also, Rs 600 crore has been given separately for hydrogen-related infrastructure on heritage routes.
Apart from this, the Railways has also started a project to run a diesel-powered DEMU train on hydrogen. A contract of Rs 111.83 crore has been given for this. Under this project, hydrogen fuel cells will be installed in the train. Necessary infrastructure will be created at the ground level.
Overall, the hydrogen train project is an ambitious step for the Indian Railways. This project will not only be beneficial for the environment but will also help India move forward in the field of green transportation.