Indian Railway (IR) is expected to perform field trails of India’s first hydrogen train by January 2025. The launch of its first prototype is expected by December 2024. Further, IR has already awarded contracts for transforming a 1,200 kilowatts (kw) diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) into a hydrogen fuel cell based distributed power rolling stock.
Besides, the pilot project for development of a hydrogen fuel cell and associated ground infrastructure, comprising system integration unit, battery, and two-unit fuel synchronisation tests, has been successfully completed. Also, the hydrogen plant (designs) has been approved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation. While onboard hydrogen safety approval is being carried out by Technischer Überwachungsverein.