Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered passenger train from Jind railway station on Friday [1].
The launch marks a significant shift toward clean-energy rail technology. By deploying this indigenous system, India aims to reduce carbon emissions and join a small group of nations capable of operating hydrogen-powered rail services [2].
The new service operates between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana [3]. The train consists of 10 coaches [4] and can accommodate 2,600 passengers during peak hours [4]. Modi was accompanied during the event by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw [1].
During the ceremony, Modi highlighted the rarity of this technology on a global scale. "Only three to four countries in the world have the capability to run hydrogen trains," Modi said [5].
India is now the fifth nation in the world to run hydrogen-powered passenger trains [4]. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to demonstrate domestic technological capabilities in the green energy sector [2].
Modi also referenced the importance of energy independence and infrastructure resilience in his remarks. "Had the Gulf war happened before 2014, our Railways would have been paralysed," Modi said [6].
The deployment of the Jind-to-Sonipat service serves as a pilot for future clean-energy expansions across the national rail network [3].
“"Only three to four countries in the world have the capability to run hydrogen trains."”
The introduction of hydrogen-powered rail positions India as a competitive player in the global transition to net-zero transport. By reducing reliance on diesel and electricity grids for long-haul transit, the government is attempting to insulate its infrastructure from external energy shocks while scaling indigenous green-tech manufacturing.
