Between which stations will the first hydrogen train of Indian Railways run? How does the hydrogen train work differently from traditional diesel and electric trains? What is the biggest environmental feature of this hydrogen train? What safety arrangements have the Railways made for the use of flammable gas like hydrogen?
New Delhi: Indian Railways has achieved a major milestone in controlling the increasing pollution around the world and reducing dependence on other countries for fuel. For the first time in the country’s history, the Railway Ministry has officially given the green signal to an environment-friendly ‘hydrogen-powered train’. This ambitious train with 10 coaches is ready to run between Jind and Sonipat stations of Haryana. With this historic step, India has now joined the list of select countries like Germany, Japan, China and America, which have advanced hydrogen train technology.
Technical Specifications and Features
This hydrogen train, completely designed in the country, is a sample of excellent engineering. This train will have a powerful engine of 1.2 megawatt (MW). Using hydrogen fuel, this train can run at a maximum speed of 75 kilometers per hour. It will have a total of 10 modern coaches, in which about 2,600 passengers will be able to travel comfortably simultaneously.
How will the hydrogen train run?
The working method of this hydrogen train is completely different and unique as compared to conventional trains running on diesel or electricity. To provide continuous hydrogen fuel to this train, a modern ‘Hydrogen Storage and Refueling Station’ has already been built in Jind, Haryana. When hydrogen is filled in a train engine, it undergoes a chemical reaction inside the engine through ‘fuel cell’ technology. This process generates a huge amount of electricity, which starts the train.
The special thing about this entire process is that no harmful gas or smoke is released in it. Instead, only 100% pure water vapor is released into the air. Therefore, it is completely pollution-free and zero emission technology.
In the initial phase, Railways has given utmost priority to safety. When the train starts running on the tracks, a special team of expert engineers and technical staff will travel in the train itself to examine every technical aspect of it in detail.
Since hydrogen is a highly flammable gas, the fuel plant and distribution units at Jind have been installed with advanced automatic sensors and fire suppression equipment to immediately detect any gas leakage or even the smallest spark. This hydrogen train project is a revolutionary step towards taking Indian Railways completely towards green energy, in which there is a lot of interest among the people.