This new Indian train produces nothing but water vapour, and it launches next week

A new kind of train is about to roll onto India’s tracks, and it won’t leave behind the usual trail of diesel exhaust. Indian Railways will launch the country’s first indigenous hydrogen-powered passenger train on July 17, flagged off from Jind railway station in Haryana on the Jind-Sonipat section under Northern Railway.

The technology at the heart of the train replaces conventional diesel engines with hydrogen fuel cells, which produce only water vapour and heat as by-products, making the journey effectively emission-free. The project was approved by the Ministry of Railways in May, with the Railway Board clearing a 10-car indigenous train equipped with a 1,200 kW hydrogen propulsion system capable of a maximum operational speed of 75 km/hr.

The pilot route covers approximately 90 kilometres and is expected to carry around 2,500 passengers, with the corridor specifically selected to test hydrogen-powered rail operations before any wider rollout. Fares are expected to range between Rs 5 and Rs 25, according to reports, keeping the ride affordable for everyday commuters.

Beyond being emission-free, hydrogen trains are also quieter and require less maintenance than diesel trains, according to Indian Railways. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has called the project a significant step towards greener rail operations, adding that if the pilot succeeds, hydrogen trains could eventually run on more non-electrified routes across the country.