Indian Railways set to launch first hydrogen-powered train, trial runs expected by December
New Delhi: Indian Railways is set to introduce its first hydrogen train, with trial runs scheduled to begin in December 2024. This initiative, which will involve 35 hydrogen trains and significant investments in ground infrastructure, will place India among a select group of countries, Germany, France, Sweden, and China that operate hydrogen-powered trains.
Germany’s TUV-SUD has been engaged to conduct a third-party safety audit for the country's first hydrogen train, according to officials familiar with the project. Each train under the ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ initiative is estimated to cost Rs 80 crores, with an additional Rs 70 crores investment for ground infrastructure on various heritage or hilly routes.
In addition to passenger trains, the Indian Railways is also developing five Hydrogen Fuel Cell-Based Tower Cars for maintenance purposes, each costing around Rs 10 crore.
A pilot project is already underway to retrofit a Hydrogen Fuel Cell on an existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake. The train, integrated at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, will operate on the Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railway. The hydrogen for this train will be sourced from a 1-megawatt (MW) Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolyser in Jind, Haryana.
GreenH Electrolysis, the firm managing the hydrogen supply, stated that the electrolyser will produce approximately 430 kg of hydrogen per day. The refuelling infrastructure at Jind will include a 3,000 kg hydrogen storage facility, a hydrogen compressor, and two dispensers, enabling efficient refuelling of the trains.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
