Indian Railways is working to operate the country’s first hydrogen-powered train at speeds of up to 110 kmph after completing trials at 120 kmph, Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar said on Sunday, as reported by news agency PTI.
“The operational speed of the hydrogen train has so far been kept at 75 kmph. However, trials have been completed for a speed of 120 kmph. After that, efforts are now underway to operate it at a maximum speed of 110 kmph,” Kumar told reporters in Indore, as reported by PTI.
He said consultations were underway with all stakeholders to decide the rail sections on which the new hydrogen train could operate. Technical aspects and arrangements for fuel supply were also being examined.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on July 17 flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train, which operates on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.
Unlike conventional electric trains that draw power from overhead lines, the hydrogen fuel cell trainset generates electricity on board through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Water vapour and heat are its only by-products, with no combustion, smoke or tailpipe carbon emissions.Kumar said the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper express was currently operating between Howrah and Kamakhya (Guwahati), while four more such trains had been completed and would be formally inaugurated in the coming days, PTI reported.
