Siemens, Cummins and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) are among 10 leading companies who have shown interest in manufacturing 35 hydrogen trains for the Railways.

This comes as the move to introduce green energy-driven trains on heritage routes gains pace with the public transporter seeking the views of the industry.

Besides, Medha, Wabtec, Hitachi and Alstom also participated in the meeting chaired by the Railway Board Member dealing with the rolling stock.

Advocating zero carbon emission and doing away with fossil fuel with green energy, Indian Railways has decided to introduce 35 hydrogen trains at an estimated cost of Rs 2,800 crore in the country.

All these hydrogen trains are slated to be pressed into service on heritage routes like Kalka-Shimla and Darjeeling-Ghum corridors.

Siemens, Tooltech, Cummins, BHEL, Medha and Greenco also presented their plans suggesting technology and solutions for the project.

It was a fruitful meeting with the industry people and they presented their views, said a senior Railway Ministry official who was part of the meeting.

The next step is to float the tender after taking note of the industry inputs, the official added.

Currently, Medha Servo Drives is undertaking a pilot project for the retro fitment of Hydrogen Fuel cell on existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake to make the first prototype of hydrogen train, expected to commence in the fiscal of 2023-2024 on Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway.

It would cost about Rs 70 crore for setting up the hydrogen plant at Jind, with a storage capacity of 3,000 kg of hydrogen.

The Railways is going a big way in reducing carbon emission and protecting the environment.

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