Whalesbook
Hydrogen Train Pilot Launch Hua!
Indian Railways ab sirf electrification nahi, alternative fuels bhi explore kar rahi hai, jiska saboot hai Jind-Sonipat hydrogen train pilot. Yeh 10-coach wali train, jo ek modified DEMU hai, fuel cell system use karti hai. Tech ko alag alag coaches mein distribute kiya gaya hai taaki hydrogen traction ko real-world mein test kar saken.
Innovation vs. Budget Ka Chakkar
Yeh ek technical success zaroor hai, par paison ke mamle mein yeh project dikkat mein hai. Ek hydrogen train set banane mein lagbhag ₹80 Crore kharch aa raha hai. Uske alawa, refuelling stations jaise ground infrastructure ke liye per route ₹70 Crore aur chahiye. Jabki India ka 93% network already electrified hai, tab hydrogen trains ka fayda abhi clear nahi hai. Experts ka kehna hai ki yeh heritage routes ya pahadi areas ke liye behtar ho sakti hai. Lekin green hydrogen ka current price (₹300-₹400 per kg) diesel ya electricity se kaafi zyada hai. Agar 2030 tak iski price kam nahi hui aur National Green Hydrogen Mission ne speed nahi pakdi, toh hydrogen compete nahi kar paayegi.
Systemic Risks aur Paise Ki Chinta
Is pilot ke saamne bade hurdles hain. Infrastructure ek bada problem hai, kyunki Jind mein hi refuelling stations hain, jisse iska use limited hai. High-pressure cryogenic storage use karne se weight badh jata hai, jisse passenger capacity aur maintenance par asar pad sakta hai. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) bhi Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies ke saath milkar is field mein invest kar rahi hai. Lekin BHEL ke recent losses dekh kar yeh sawal uthta hai ki kya woh itne costly aur unproven rail tech mein long-term research fund kar payegi. Kuch logon ka yeh bhi kehna hai ki jab tak safety aur maintenance prove nahi ho jata, tab tak backup ke liye diesel locomotives ki zaroorat pad sakti hai, jisse operational complexity badhegi.
Net-Zero Ki Raah
Jind-Sonipat pilot India ke 2030 net-zero targets ke liye ek crucial test hai. "Hydrogen for Heritage" initiative ko successful banane ke liye public-private partnerships bahut zaroori hongi taaki refuelling networks ban sakein aur green hydrogen production costs kam ho. Haalanki technology testing ke liye ready hai, par ise practical aur affordable banane ke liye bahut saare economic challenges overcome karne honge, jo filhaal railway electrification ko zyada favorable banate hain.