Examine how the National Green Hydrogen Mission is being operationalised across different modes of transport in India. What are the challenges to scaling such technology?

Q. Examine how the National Green Hydrogen Mission is being operationalised across different modes of transport in India. What are the challenges to scaling such technology? (15 marks, 250 words)

Launched in 2023, the National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen, with mobility a flagship application. Its operationalisation now spans rail, road and water transport, though scaling remains capital- and infrastructure-constrained.

Operationalisation across transport modes - Railways: India's first indigenously designed 10-coach Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trainset (~2,600 passengers) was flagged off on the Jind–Sonipat section in July 2026, powered by twin 1,200 kW Driving Power Cars emitting only water vapour [1]. - Ground ecosystem: The country's largest railway hydrogen storage-and-refuelling facility at Jind, Haryana (~3,000 kg capacity) anchors this rollout under the wider "Hydrogen for Heritage" plan for 35 trains on heritage/hill routes [2]. - Road and water: Parallel indigenous efforts — hydrogen fuel-cell buses (KPIT–CSIR) and a hydrogen vessel programme — extend the mission across surface and inland-water transport [1].

Challenges to scaling - High cost: ~₹80 crore per train plus ₹70 crore per route for ground infrastructure makes wide deployment expensive [2]. - Green hydrogen supply: Electrolysis-based production is energy-intensive; competitive costs depend on cheap renewable power and electrolyser capacity. - Storage, safety and standards: Hydrogen's flammability demands multi-layer detection, statutory clearances (PESO) and third-party certification, complicating a nationwide refuelling network [1].

By phasing adoption across modes while building indigenous capability, India is laying credible foundations for hydrogen mobility. Sustained cost reduction and refuelling infrastructure will determine whether this supports the Net-Zero 2070 goal at scale.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train: Advancing Green Rail Mobility (PIB, July 2026) — trainset design, Jind–Sonipat route, refuelling facility, safety/certification, buses and vessel 2. Indian Railways to run 35 Hydrogen trains under "Hydrogen for Heritage" (PIB, PRID 1896102) — 35-train plan; ₹80 crore/train and ₹70 crore/route cost