Lucknow: Indian Railways is all set to reach new speeds and embrace green technology after the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) gave final design approval to two path-breaking projects: semi-high-speed trains capable of 250 kmph and India’s first hydrogen-powered trainsets.
The upgraded Vande Bharat platforms will now include sleeper versions and a 250 kmph variant that can operate on existing tracks with minor modifications.
Unlike the bullet-train corridors, these trains will share tracks with regular traffic but run at blistering speeds during dedicated windows, slashing travel time dramatically on key routes like Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata.
RDSO has taken a significant step towards achieving net-zero emissions by approving the design of hydrogen fuel-cell trains, which emit only water vapour. These zero-emission trainsets, being developed jointly with BHEL and international partners, will initially ply on heritage and hill routes such as Kalka-Shimla and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway before graduating to main lines.
Railway Board officials revealed that the first 250 kmph prototype will roll out from Integral Coach Factory (Chennai) by mid-2026, while hydrogen train trials are scheduled for early 2027. “These approvals mark the beginning of a new chapter where speed meets sustainability,” a senior RDSO official said.
With production of 400 new Vande Bharat coaches already underway and hydrogen technology receiving ₹500 crore funding, the message from Rail Bhawan is clear: India is not just chasing speed; it is redefining how the world sees clean rail mobility. From saffron-orange streaks at 250 kmph to silent, green trains puffing only steam, the future of Indian Railways is faster, smarter and breathtakingly eco-friendly.