Launch of India’s First Hydrogen‑Powered Train in Haryana Flag‑Off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood at Jind Railway Station in Haryana and flagged off India’s first hydrogen‑powered train, officially launching the service on the 89‑km stretch to Sonipat.^[1][5]

Technology Behind the Train

The ten‑coach train is powered by a fuel‑cell system that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity on board, producing only water vapour and heat and thereby recording a near‑zero point‑of‑use emission profile.^[3]

Hydrogen is supplied through a dedicated electrolyser plant that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is then stored, compressed and fed into the train’s fuel cell, where it reacts with oxygen from the air to generate electricity that drives the motors.^[4]

Indigenous Development and Safety Oversight

All components of the propulsion system, from hydrogen production to the fuel‑cell stack, were designed and manufactured in India, granting the country exclusive intellectual‑property rights.^[4]

The train and its supporting hydrogen ecosystem—including production, storage and refuelling facilities—underwent extensive safety assessments, including third‑party evaluation by the German auditor TUV SUD, to certify operational security.^[4]

Operational Scope and Net‑Zero Aspirations

The vehicle, capable of carrying approximately 2,600 passengers, will initially run at speeds up to 75 km/h between Jind, Gohana and Sonipat, with a design limit of 110 km/h.^[4]

The project aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and long‑term net‑zero objectives, positioning the country among the few nations—alongside an European, Chinese and American operator—currently deploying hydrogen trains.^[4]

Reactions From Leadership

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the launch as a landmark achievement for Indian engineering and underscored the importance of self‑reliance in hydrogen technology.^[4]

Modi added that the introduction of the hydrogen train marks a turning point in the country’s journey toward sustainable mobility, reflecting the broader ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.^[1][5]

Future Plans

Beyond the Jind‑Sonipat link, the railway ministry intends to extend the hydrogen fleet to other routes as part of a national strategy to reduce fossil‑fuel dependence in rail transport.^[4]