India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train Successfully Completes Load Tests in Chennai under the Leadership of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

National | Dated: 20 Aug 2025

In August 2025, India’s first Hydrogen (H₂)-powered train successfully cleared load tests at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, under the supervision of the Research Designs & Standards Organization (RDSO) and the Ministry of Railways (MoR) led by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The achievement marks a major step in India’s push towards green and sustainable railway technology.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The hydrogen-powered train has been developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at a cost of ₹136 crores under the “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative of Indian Railways.
  • - The project is aimed at reducing carbon emissions on heritage and hill routes while promoting green transport solutions.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The train has been designed with a passenger capacity of 2,638 and can achieve a maximum speed of 110 km/h. It will operate on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana, covering 89 km, during its initial trial phase.
  • (ii) Equipped with advanced technology, the hydrogen train features a 1,200-horsepower hydrogen engine and a 3,000 kg hydrogen storage capacity. This advancement positions India among the world leaders in hydrogen-powered railway innovation.
  • (iii) The “Hydrogen for Heritage” programme plans to deploy a total of 35 hydrogen-powered trains across India’s heritage and hilly routes. This initiative aligns with India’s broader climate goals and its commitment to reducing dependency on fossil fuels in the transport sector.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, which city hosted the successful load tests of India’s first hydrogen-powered train?

Correct Answer: Chennai

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Ministry of Railways (MoR)

  • Minister : Ashwini Vaishnaw
  • Headquarters: New Delhi