Wait for hydrogen-powered trains on Kalka-Shimla section gets longer

The much-anticipated introduction of hydrogen-powered trains on the Kalka-Shimla section of the Ambala Division remains in limbo, with the project still in its initial stages despite being announced over two years ago.

The Kalka-Shimla Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was selected by Indian Railways as one of the key locations for deploying hydrogen-powered trains to replace diesel locomotives. Three hydrogen fuel station sites were identified at Kalka, Shimla and Barog, but no significant progress has been made so far.

A railway official from the Ambala Division said, “Hydrogen is one of the cleanest fuels and hydrogen-fuelled trains will offer zero emissions. It will help the division replace diesel-powered locomotives on the narrow-gauge section. Three sites have been identified for hydrogen fuel stations and the project is currently under review at the headquarters level. A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared to finalise the fuelling sites, capacity and other technical aspects.”

The feasibility of electrification on the Kalka-Shimla route was also assessed, but an agency hired for impact evaluation recommended alternative solutions like hydrogen or battery-powered trains due to the challenges posed by the region’s terrain. The section has 102 tunnels, making overhead electrification (OHE) extremely difficult. The agency further cautioned that electrification could potentially harm the heritage value of the railway, reinforcing the need for cleaner alternatives.

Meanwhile, Naveen Kumar, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Ambala Division, confirmed Indian Railways’ commitment to achieving zero carbon emissions. He said, “In a significant step towards achieving zero carbon emissions, Indian Railways will introduce hydrogen-powered train. The train will utilise a fuel cell that combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, producing only water vapour as emissions. This innovative technology aligns with Indian Railways’ goal of reducing its carbon footprint.”

He further said, “Although the initial running cost of hydrogen-fuelled train sets is expected to be high, costs are likely to reduce as more trains are introduced. The hydrogen train will be deployed on the scenic Kalka-Shimla heritage section. To support this initiative, three sites have been identified for hydrogen fuel plants at Kalka, Barog and Shimla, and a DPR is currently under development.”