Source: https://www.etnownews.com/infrastructure/indian-railways-news-hydrogen-train-proposed-for-kalka-shimla-rail-route-details-article-114961613
Publisher: ET Now
Indian Railways, Hydrogen Train, Kalka-Shimla Train Route: Indian Railways is targeted to become a net zero carbon emitter by 2030. For this, the national transporter is working on various projects including electrifying all railway tracks and launching hydrogen trains in the country.
The ‘National Hydrogen Mission’ is one of the flagship programs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to meet the targets of reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions under the Paris Climate Agreement 2015.
Hydrogen Train in India
On Monday, Himachal Pradesh (HP) Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged the Ministry of Railways to explore the possibility of running trains on the Kalka-Shimla railway, on green hydrogen. The 96-km-long rail line is one of the country’s oldest and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Himachal Pradesh government aims to make HP – a green energy state by March 31, 2026, and has undertaken several initiatives to achieve this goal. It is working on various strategies and the running of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell based Train is one such initiative.
Hydrogen Train Launch in India
India’s first hydrogen train is expected to be launched in the financial year 2024-25. However, the trial run of one such train will begin by the end of this year. The first hydrogen train has been allocated to the Northern Railway.
Last month, a senior railway official said, “India’s first hydrogen will run on Northern Railway’s Delhi Division. The train will begin its trial run in December.”
Kalka-Shimla Railway
The Kalka-Shimla railway line was built in the mid-19th century to provide a service to Himachal Pradesh’s capital. The rail route has been remembered for its engineering marvels, including steep climbs and 800 bridges and viaducts.
Hydrogen train project in India
Indian Railways has envisaged running 35 Hydrogen trains under “Hydrogen for Heritage” on various heritage and hill routes. The Hydrogen fuel train set will provide larger benefits in the direction of green transportation technology to support zero carbon emission goals as a clean energy source. In the financial year 2023-24, the Ministry of Railways allocated an amount of Rs 2800 crore for the development of 35 hydrogen fuel cell-based trains. Further, the setting up of Hydrogen Infrastructure for heritage routes has also been included at a cost of Rs 600 crore.
