Syllabus: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Context: India trialled its first hydrogen-powered coach in July 2025, marking a key step in Indian Railways’ green transition. The goal is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Key Initiatives for Decarbonisation
- 45,000 km of rail network electrified, reducing diesel use and emissions.
- 553 MW solar, 103 MW wind, and 100 MW hybrid energy already integrated.
- The Hydrogen for Heritage initiative aims to deploy 35 hydrogen-powered trains.
- Efforts to shift freight from road to rail, increasing rail’s modal share to 45% by 2030.
Challenges and Future Directions
- Ensure electricity for traction comes from renewable sources.
- Enhance last-mile connectivity with electric buses, LNG trucks, and green transport solutions.
- Innovate with hydrogen fuel-cell trains, lightweight coaches, and AI-driven optimization.
- Promote green certification and carbon labelling for trains and freight.
Impact and Financial Benefits
- Achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 could prevent 60 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
- Electrification and efficiency measures could save ₹1 lakh crore in fuel costs by 2030.
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