Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel-cell passenger train on Friday at Jind Railway Station in Haryana.
The launch marks a shift toward a cleaner rail transport system and signals India's intent to reduce carbon emissions in its massive transit network. By utilizing hydrogen fuel-cell technology, the government aims to transition away from diesel-powered locomotives toward a greener infrastructure.
The event took place on the Jind-Sonipat route, where the train began its initial operations. This project is a central component of a broader regional investment strategy. The Prime Minister said infrastructure projects for Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab total more than Rs 25,000 crore [1].
Developing the train domestically allows India to reduce reliance on foreign technology while building local expertise in hydrogen energy. The project represents a milestone in the nation's green-rail era, focusing on sustainable mobility for the public.
Officials said the train operates using a fuel cell that combines hydrogen with oxygen from the air to generate electricity. This process produces only water and heat as byproducts, eliminating the tailpipe emissions associated with traditional trains.
The inauguration occurred on 17 July 2026 [2], serving as a demonstration of the country's technical capabilities in renewable energy integration. The deployment of this technology on the Jind-Sonipat line provides a testing ground for future expansions across the national rail grid.
“India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel-cell passenger train”
The deployment of a hydrogen-powered train is a strategic move to decouple India's transportation sector from fossil fuel dependency. While the current launch is limited to a specific route, the focus on indigenous development suggests a goal of scaling this technology to meet national climate targets and reduce the environmental impact of one of the world's largest railway networks.
