Indian Railways is working to run the country’s first hydrogen-powered train at maximum speeds of 110 kmph after trials at 120 kmph were completed, the Railway Board Chairman and chief executive said in Indore. Consultations are under way with stakeholders to identify suitable rail sections and to resolve technical issues and fuel supply arrangements before regular services are introduced. The Prime Minister had earlier flagged off the first hydrogen train, which is currently operating on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.

The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trainset generates electricity on board through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapour and heat and avoiding combustion and tailpipe carbon emissions. This contrasts with conventional electric trains that draw power from overhead lines.

The Railways is also expanding Vande Bharat sleeper services, with 200 trains being manufactured under a public-private partnership and each train expected to take about one to one-and-a-half years to complete. The first Vande Bharat sleeper service is operating between Howrah and Kamakhya, four more trains have been completed and 11 more are expected this year. Officials said remaining manufacturing schedules and formal inaugurations are being planned.

Preparations are under way for the Simhastha festival in Ujjain in 2028, with plans to operate between 100 and 125 special trains and to strengthen infrastructure for the large religious gathering. Steps are being taken to tackle vermin on trains and to integrate artificial intelligence with CCTV systems to improve security at stations and on trains. Land acquisition for the Indore-Manmad railway line is progressing rapidly and the project, approved in the 2024-25 financial year, is expected to be completed in four to five years at an estimated cost of Rs 185 billion (bn).