Valsad: The Centre has planned 8 trains that would run using hydrogen fuel. Bilimora – Waghai narrow gauge train in South Gujarat is one among these 8 trains chosen for futuristic fuel. The train is likely to start running using hydrogen fuel by early 2024  as per the Centre’s plan.

“The Railways plans to convert all 8 heritage trains it operates into Green Hydrogen-powered trains. This is part of the railways green initiative,” Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, said in New Delhi.

At present, the railway is operating 8 heritage trains – Matheran Hill Railway, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Kalka Shimla Railway, Kangra Valley, Bilmora Waghai, Mhow Patalpani, Nilgiri Mountain Railways and Marwar-Devgarh.

Indian Railways is also developing a hydrogen-powered train in its workshop in Haryana and it will be ready in 2023. These trains will be known as ‘Vande Metro’ Hydrogen Train, the Minister said recently. Until now only Germany, China and France have developed hydrogen-powered trains.

The government is also likely to introduce hydrogen-fuel-run buses connecting Vadodara to the Statue of Unity in Central Gujarat according to a separate report. DeshGujarat