17 July,2026 12:01 PM IST | Jind | mid-day online correspondent
The hydrogen fuel cell train will operate on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route, connecting Jind Junction, Gohana Junction and Sonipat while serving intermediate stations. Pic/PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train from Jind in Haryana, marking a major step towards cleaner transportation and indigenous railway technology under the Centre's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
The hydrogen fuel cell train will operate on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route, connecting Jind Junction, Gohana Junction and Sonipat while serving intermediate stations. With the launch, India joins a select group of countries operating hydrogen-powered trains using domestically developed technology.
The train has been developed by Indian Railways using indigenous technology and is powered by hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity onboard by combining hydrogen and oxygen.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the process produces only water vapour and heat as by-products, resulting in near-zero emissions during operation. Unlike conventional electric trains, the hydrogen-powered train does not require overhead electric lines for propulsion.
The 10-coach train comprises two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars and eight trailer coaches and has a passenger capacity of around 2,600.
It has a design speed of 110 kmph and will initially operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph on the Jind-Sonipat section.
Ahead of the inauguration, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the launch as a milestone for Indian engineering and clean mobility, emphasising that the entire propulsion system had been developed within the country.
"Hydrogen is a new energy, a new fuel. How to use this fuel in transportation, how to develop that technology in India, and making it an indigenous technology under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' is very important. This is a major milestone for the Railways today, as the entire technology was developed in India and the IP rights are with India."
Explaining the technology behind the train, Vaishnaw said hydrogen is produced from water using an electrolyser plant and later converted into electricity through a fuel cell to power the train's motors.
"Hydrogen is made from water; an electrolyser plant is installed nearby. Hydrogen is produced from water and then converted back into electricity through this fuel cell. This electricity is then used to drive the motors. The entire propulsion system, from hydrogen production to its actual use in the motor, all IP rights are with India today," he said.
He added that India now possesses the intellectual property rights for the technology, opening up future opportunities to export hydrogen railway systems to other countries.
The Railway Ministry has developed India's first integrated hydrogen railway ecosystem at Jind to support the operation of the train.
The facility includes hydrogen production through electrolysis, storage, compression and refuelling infrastructure. According to the ministry, the plant can store nearly 3,000 kg of hydrogen and has received approval from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
Officials said the project supports the objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission and India's long-term commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
Addressing concerns regarding safety, Vaishnaw said the hydrogen-powered train underwent extensive testing and independent evaluation before being cleared for operations.
"A very comprehensive safety assessment was conducted over a long period. An independent safety assessment was done by TUV SUD, one of the world's most reputed safety assessment agencies. In every way, the train is secure," he said.
The train has been equipped with multiple safety systems, including hydrogen leak detectors, flame, heat and smoke detection mechanisms, automatic hydrogen shut-off systems, continuous ventilation and emergency response features.
Vaishnaw said hydrogen concentration is monitored continuously using advanced sensors.
"Many safety sensors have been installed, including heat detectors and leak detectors. Hydrogen is a very safe fuel in the sense that if the hydrogen concentration exceeds 0.25 per cent, all safety systems will be activated. The risk starts if it exceeds 4 per cent, so it's completely addressed at less than 1 per cent," he said.
During his visit to Haryana, Prime Minister Modi also dedicated the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway to the nation.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the 157.92-km-long Packages 1 to 5 of the Greenfield expressway, constructed at a cost of around Rs 9,680 crore. Later in the day, he is also scheduled to inaugurate the 30.9-km-long Package 6 of the expressway in Jalandhar, Punjab.
The 667-km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from nearly 14 hours to about six hours, while cutting the Delhi-Amritsar journey from around eight hours to four hours. The project is also expected to improve connectivity to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, reduce congestion on NH-44 and support industrial and logistics development along the corridor.
