Possible UPSC Questions
- Explain the technological configuration and intended operational corridor of Indian Railways’ first hydrogen-powered train.
- Distinguish between grey, blue and green hydrogen. How does the National Green Hydrogen Mission seek to scale up green hydrogen in India?
- Discuss the challenges of retro-fitting existing rolling-stock with hydrogen fuel-cell traction and the safety measures adopted by Indian Railways.
Quick Outline of Key Facts
| Parameter | Details |
| Pilot agency | Northern Railway, design & testing by RDSO; conversion at ICF-Chennai with Medha Servo Drives |
| Project components | (i) Convert two 1 600 HP diesel power cars to hydrogen fuel-cell traction; (ii) build 3 000 kg H₂ storage & fuelling depot at Jind (Haryana) |
| Cost & timeline | ~₹136 crore; trial section Jind-Sonipat (356 km/day, two round-trips) |
| On-board H₂ | 220 kg per power car, 350 bar composite cylinders |
| Safety features | Pressure-relief valves, leak & flame detectors, temperature sensors, forced ventilation; third-party safety audit by TÜV-SÜD (Germany) |
| Why hydrogen? | Zero tail-pipe emissions, decarbonises non-electrified routes, aligns with Railways’ net-zero target by 2030 |
| National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) | Capacity target: ≥5 MMT green H₂ / yr by 2030; make India global hub for production, use & export; anchored by MNRE |
| Hydrogen colour codes | Grey (fossil-fuel), Blue (fossil + CCS), Green (renewable electrolysis) |
| Global context | Only a handful of railways (e.g., Germany’s Coradia iLint) run H₂ trains; most projects still in pilot phase |
Summary
Indian Railways reached a crucial milestone this month when its Integral Coach Factory successfully test-ran the country’s first hydrogen-powered driving power car. Under a ₹136-crore Northern Railway project begun in 2020-21, two conventional 1 600 HP diesel power cars are being retro-fitted with hydrogen fuel-cell traction while a 3 000 kg hydrogen storage and fuelling plant is erected at Jind, Haryana. Once commissioned, the hybrid rake will ply the 356-km Jind–Sonipat section twice daily, demonstrating zero tail-pipe emissions on a non-electrified route.
Each power car will house 220 kg of compressed hydrogen (350 bar) feeding fuel cells that generate electricity, with batteries for load levelling. Given hydrogen’s high flammability, Indian Railways has incorporated multilayered safety—pressure-relief systems, leak and flame sensors, automated ventilation—and engaged German certifier TÜV-SÜD as independent auditor. Design, validation and testing fall to RDSO; engineering integration to ICF-Chennai and Medha Servo Drives.
Technologically the project dovetails with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023), which positions green hydrogen—produced by renewable-powered electrolysis—as a linchpin for achieving energy independence by 2047 and net-zero by 2070. The Mission targets at least 5 MMT annual green H₂ capacity by 2030, promising decarbonisation of transport, steel, fertiliser and chemical sectors. Hydrogen’s colour taxonomy—grey (fossil), blue (fossil + CCS), green (renewable)—highlights why Indian Railways aims eventually to source exclusively green hydrogen, harnessing surplus solar and wind power.
Significance to the UPSC Exam
Prelims: Factual details on colour codes of hydrogen, features of India’s pilot H₂ train, key aims of National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Mains GS-III: Illustrates application of clean-energy tech in transport infrastructure, challenges of retro-fit engineering, and India’s pathways to energy transition and climate commitments.
Essay & Interview: Provides contemporary case-study on innovation, public-sector decarbonisation, and balancing safety, cost and sustainability in large-scale projects.
