India wants to run trains on hydrogen

Indian Railways Organisation of Alternative Fuels (IROAF) has invited bids for Hydrogen Fuel Cell based trains on Indian Railways Network.

According to a statement by ministry of railways, the project entails retrofitting the Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) in 89 km Sonipat-Jind section.

“Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Batteries and National Hydrogen Mission are two flagship programs of Government of India so as to meet out the targets of reducing GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emission under Paris Climate Agreement 2015 and “Mission Net Zero Carbon Emission Railway” by 2030,” said the  ministry of railway in the statement.

“Initially, 2 DEMU rakes will be converted and later, 2 Hybrid locos will be converted based on Hydrogen Fuel cell power movement,” said the statement.

According to the ministry, the retrofitting of diesel-powered DEMU and converting it into hydrogen fuel-powered train will save both financial investments and  the carbon footprint (NO2) of 11.12 kilo tons per annum and particulate matter of 0.72 kilo tonnes per annum.