Indian hydrogen train: RDSO finishes fuel cell and battery test

03 Sep 2024 CW Team

The Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), the R&D wing of the Ministry of Railways, announced on August 29 that it has successfully completed a crucial performance test of the fuel cell and battery systems for India?s first hydrogen train. This test, designed to simulate the drive cycle for the proposed Jind-Sonipat route, marks the completion of the stationary testing phase for the Driving Motor Coach subassemblies.

The successful test is a significant milestone in India's journey towards greener rail transport, ensuring that the train's systems are capable of meeting the operational demands of the Jind-Sonipat section.

In a previous statement, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed Indian Railways' plans to deploy 35 hydrogen trains under the "Hydrogen for Heritage" initiative. Each train is expected to cost around Rs 80 crore, with an additional Rs 700 million per route for ground infrastructure, particularly on heritage and hill routes.

Indian Railways has also launched a pilot project to retrofit existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rakes with hydrogen fuel cells. This project, estimated at Rs 1.11 billion, is specifically targeted for the Jind?Sonipat section of Northern Railway.

While initial operational costs of hydrogen trains may be high, they are anticipated to decrease as more trains are introduced, offering significant environmental benefits by supporting zero-carbon emission goals with clean energy sources. (moneycontrol)

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..