PM to flag off Hydrogen train on July 17, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off India's first hydrogen train on July 17.
• The inaugural service will run on the Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana.
• This 10-coach train, fully designed and developed in India, is currently the world's longest hydrogen-powered train on a broad gauge platform.
• The train utilizes hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, with water vapor as its sole emission.

Detailed Insights:

• The Jind-Sonipat route spans 89 km, and the train is expected to cover this distance in approximately two hours, including 12 intermediate stops.
• The train has a maximum operational speed of 75 kmph, though it achieved 120 kmph during trials.
• An indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility has been established at Jind, licensed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
• This initiative supports Indian Railways' broader goals of technological innovation, improved energy efficiency, and achieving net-zero carbon emissions, aligning with the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• Indian Railways plans to introduce 35 additional hydrogen trains under the "Hydrogen for Heritage" project, targeting heritage and hill routes.
• The project marks a significant milestone for India, placing it among a select group of nations exploring hydrogen fuel cell technology for rail transport.
• The train has a passenger capacity of up to 2,600 people and was developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, with design by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO).

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, producing only water and heat.
• Green Hydrogen: Hydrogen produced by splitting water through electrolysis, powered by renewable energy sources, resulting in zero carbon emissions.
• Broad Gauge: A railway track gauge where the distance between the inner sides of the two rails is wider than the standard gauge, commonly used in India.