PM Modi flags off India's first hydrogen-powered train from Haryana's Jind, boosting green transport

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off Indias first hydrogenpowered train from Jind in Haryana marking a major step towards cleaner transportation and indigenous railway technology under the Centres Atmanirbhar Bharat initiativeThe hydrogen fuel cell train will operate on the 89km JindSonipat route connecting Jind Junction Gohana Junction and Sonipat while serving intermediate stations With the launch India joins a select group of countries operating hydrogenpowered trains using domestically developed technologyIndia joins select nations operating hydrogen trainsThe 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 oxygenAccording to the Ministry of Railways the process produces only water vapour and heat as byproducts resulting in nearzero emissions during operation Unlike conventional electric trains the hydrogenpowered train does not require overhead electric lines for propulsionThe 10coach train comprises two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars and eight trailer coaches and has a passenger capacity of around 2600It has a design speed of 110 kmph and will initially operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph on the JindSonipat sectionAshwini Vaishnaw highlights indigenous technologyAhead 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 countryHydrogen 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 IndiaExplaining 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 trains motorsHydrogen 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 saidHe added that India now possesses the intellectual property rights for the technology opening up future opportunities to export hydrogen railway systems to other countriesIntegrated hydrogen ecosystem established at JindThe Railway Ministry has developed Indias first integrated hydrogen railway ecosystem at Jind to support the operation of the trainThe facility includes hydrogen production through electrolysis storage compression and refuelling infrastructure According to the ministry the plant can store nearly 3000 kg of hydrogen and has received approval from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation PESOOfficials said the project supports the objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission and Indias longterm commitment to achieving netzero carbon emissionsSafety systems undergo international assessmentAddressing concerns regarding safety Vaishnaw said the hydrogenpowered train underwent extensive testing and independent evaluation before being cleared for operationsA very comprehensive safety assessment was conducted over a long period An independent safety assessment was done by TUV SUD one of the worlds most reputed safety assessment agencies In every way the train is secure he saidThe train has been equipped with multiple safety systems including hydrogen leak detectors flame heat and smoke detection mechanisms automatic hydrogen shutoff systems continuous ventilation and emergency response featuresVaishnaw said hydrogen concentration is monitored continuously using advanced sensorsMany 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 025 per cent all safety systems will be activated The risk starts if it exceeds 4 per cent so its completely addressed at less than 1 per cent he saidPM Modi also inaugurates key infrastructure projectsDuring his visit to Haryana Prime Minister Modi also dedicated the DelhiAmritsarKatra Expressway to the nationThe Prime Minister inaugurated the 15792kmlong Packages 1 to 5 of the Greenfield expressway constructed at a cost of around Rs 9680 crore Later in the day he is also scheduled to inaugurate the 309kmlong Package 6 of the expressway in Jalandhar PunjabThe 667km DelhiAmritsarKatra Expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from nearly 14 hours to about six hours while cutting the DelhiAmritsar 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 NH44 and support industrial and logistics development along the corridor