TÜV SÜD and MEDHA have expanded their hydrogen rail partnership in India, building on safety approval for the country’s first indigenous hydrogen-electric train and supporting infrastructure.

Indian Railways hydrogen-powered train developed with MEDHA technology
India’s indigenous hydrogen-powered train outside a rail facility. Photo: MEDHA / TÜV SÜD press materials.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding⁠ to broaden cooperation on hydrogen-powered rail vehicles and independent safety assessments for future Indian rail projects. The agreement follows a joint programme with Indian Railways that ran from 2024 to 2026 and delivered an approved hydrogen-electric multiple unit as well as a hydrogen production and refuelling station. 

Hydrogen rail partnership builds on completed programme

MEDHA integrated the fuel-cell propulsion package into a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit platform and conducted static, dynamic, oscillation and performance testing. TÜV SÜD assessed the train’s hydrogen and traction-battery systems and reviewed the associated production and refuelling infrastructure. 

The train was inaugurated on 17 July 2026 and is intended to operate on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway. An Indian government factsheet⁠ describes it as a 10-car trainset with capacity for approximately 2,600 passengers, approval for operation at up to 75 km/h and a design speed of 110 km/h.

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The supporting facility at Jind can store nearly 3,000 kg of hydrogen and has received the required licence from India’s Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation. Indian Railways said the installation was designed around recognised hydrogen safety standards and underwent an independent third-party assessment by TÜV SÜD.

Indian Railways hydrogen train inside a manufacturing facility
India’s hydrogen fuel cell trainset inside a rail facility. Photo: Ministry of Railways / Press Information Bureau, Government of India.

Hydrogen rail partnership targets future safety work

Under the new agreement, TÜV SÜD and MEDHA will extend cooperation beyond the completed demonstrator and continue work on hydrogen rail technologies and Independent Safety Assessments in India. The official announcement did not specify a financial value, delivery programme or number of additional vehicles covered by the MoU. 

“The safety requirements for hydrogen applications in the rail sector are extremely complex and challenging.”

Sumit Singhal, Senior Vice President of TÜV SÜD South Asia, said the companies would strengthen their collaboration as hydrogen technology develops in the Indian railway sector. 

The partnership places independent safety validation alongside propulsion development as Indian Railways begins gaining operational experience with hydrogen traction. TÜV SÜD’s rail business has more than 550 in-house specialists working across conventional rail, high-speed systems, metros and urban transport.

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