Matheran Hill Railway may get hydrogen-powered trains under Indian Railways' green push

Matheran Hill Railway likely to join India`s hydrogen-powered train network (File pic)

After the successful launch of India's first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana on Friday, Indian Railways is now considering deploying the green technology on all heritage railways, including the Matheran Hill Railway in Maharashtra.

The move is aimed at promoting sustainable transport while preserving the character of the country's iconic hill railways.

Heritage rail routes to get eco-friendly transport

The Matheran Hill Railway, a narrow-gauge heritage line and a UNESCO World Heritage tentative site, is seen as a suitable candidate because it operates on a non-electrified route through an eco-sensitive region.

Officials had previously highlighted that Matheran's heritage train could allegedly be powered by electric or hydrogen propulsion while retaining the appearance of its historic steam locomotive.

If implemented, the hydrogen-powered train would replace conventional diesel traction with a zero-emission alternative that emits only water vapour, significantly reducing pollution in the hill station while maintaining its heritage appeal.

The proposal is still at a conceptual stage, and no timeline has been announced for introducing hydrogen trains on te Matheran route.