Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone by conducting a successful trial of the country's first hydrogen-powered rail coach in Chennai. This achievement was announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who highlighted India's plans to develop a 1,200-horsepower hydrogen train, aiming to establish the country as a leader in hydrogen-powered train technology. The 'Hydrogen for Heritage' program, with a target to run 35 hydrogen trains, is a key initiative to promote clean energy in the railway sector. The project involves an estimated cost of ₹80 crore per train and an additional ₹70 crore for ground infrastructure. Additionally, a pilot project is set to retrofit an existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake with a hydrogen fuel cell, with a focus on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway. While the operational costs of hydrogen-powered trains are yet to be determined, officials believe that the initial costs may be higher but are expected to decrease as more trains are introduced. Overall, the use of hydrogen as a fuel source aligns with India's zero-emission goals and efforts towards clean energy.