Dr RK Malhotra is President of the Hydrogen Association of India and an Expert Member of the Cabinet Empowered Group for the National Green Hydrogen Mission. A former Director (R&D) and Chairman-in-charge of Indian Oil Corporation and former Director General of the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry, he brings over four decades of leadership across fuels, emissions and clean-energy technologies. An IIT BHU mechanical engineer with a PhD in Energy Studies from IIT Delhi, he has authored 200+ papers and holds 130+ patents.
OpinionWith most of India's railway network already electrified, hydrogen trains are emerging not as a replacement for electrification, but as a pragmatic low-carbon solution for diesel-dependent routes where overhead wiring remains technically, economically or environmentally unviable.
InterviewIn an ENERGDIVE interview, Dr RK Malhotra outlines how India can build a competitive hydrogen ecosystem, stressing infrastructure-first execution, technology diversity, engineering integration and robust safety standards under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.