New Delhi: India took a major step towards cleaner transportation on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country's first hydrogen powered passenger train from Jind railway station in Haryana. The launch marks a significant milestone for Indian Railways and places India among a small group of nations that have introduced hydrogen powered trains as part of their efforts to reduce carbon emissions and adopt greener transport technology.
The newly launched train will operate on the 89 kilometre Jind to Sonipat route in Haryana. Railway officials said the service will act as a pilot project to study the performance of hydrogen powered trains under Indian conditions before the technology is expanded to other parts of the country. The route was chosen because it offers a suitable testing ground while improving connectivity for passengers travelling between Jind, Sonipat and nearby stations.
Unlike conventional diesel trains, the new train uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity. In this process, hydrogen reacts with oxygen inside fuel cells to produce power for the train's motors. The only direct byproduct of the process is water vapour, making the train almost free from harmful emissions. This technology is expected to play an important role in reducing pollution while lowering India's dependence on fossil fuels.
Indian Railways has designed the train with two hydrogen powered driving cars and eight passenger coaches. It has the capacity to carry around 2,600 passengers and has been built to achieve a maximum speed of about 110 kilometres per hour. During regular operations, however, it is expected to run at a speed of around 75 kilometres per hour to ensure safe and comfortable travel.
Each of the driving power cars is equipped with a powerful 1,200 kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell system. The train also includes advanced safety features that continuously monitor hydrogen levels, temperature and fire risks throughout the journey. Railway engineers say these systems have been developed to meet international safety standards for hydrogen powered transport.
Officials said the project has largely been developed using indigenous technology under the Make in India initiative. The Research Designs and Standards Organisation, the Integral Coach Factory and Medha Servo Drives played key roles in developing the train and its hydrogen propulsion system. A dedicated hydrogen refuelling facility has also been established at Jind to support the operation of the new service.
The launch is being seen as an important part of India's National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to make the country a global leader in the production and use of clean hydrogen. Hydrogen is increasingly being viewed as an alternative fuel for sectors where complete electrification may not be practical, including railways, shipping and heavy industries.
Indian Railways has already made significant progress in electrifying its network, with most major routes now operating on electric power. However, railway officials believe hydrogen technology can provide an environmentally friendly solution for routes where electrification is difficult or too expensive. The experience gained from the Jind to Sonipat service is expected to guide future decisions on introducing hydrogen powered trains on other non electrified and heritage railway routes across the country.
The launch also places India alongside countries such as Germany, France and China, which have already introduced hydrogen powered trains as part of their clean energy programmes. While these countries have demonstrated the technology on selected routes, India hopes to adapt the system to meet the needs of one of the world's largest railway networks.
The hydrogen train inauguration was one of several major projects launched by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab. During the visit, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹25,000 crore, covering railways, highways, education, healthcare and urban development.
Experts say the success of India's first hydrogen powered train will be closely watched by the railway industry and clean energy sector. If the pilot project delivers reliable performance, Indian Railways could gradually introduce similar trains on additional routes, helping reduce emissions while supporting the country's long term goal of building a sustainable and environmentally friendly transport system.