Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India's first indigenously developed hydrogen-fuel-cell powered train on Friday, July 17, 2026 [5].
The launch represents a shift toward green mobility by replacing diesel-based emissions with zero-emission technology to expand clean energy across the national rail network.
The pilot project operates on the Jind-Sonipat railway line in Haryana, covering a distance of approximately 89 km [3]. The train consists of 10 coaches [1] and is powered by a 1,200 kW hydrogen fuel cell [4]. According to an Indian Railways spokesperson, the train can carry up to 2,600 passengers [2].
"We are proud to launch the first hydrogen-powered train in the country, a step towards a greener future for Indian railways," Modi said.
Starting fares for the service are set at ₹5 [6]. This pricing and the pilot's scale are intended to test the viability of hydrogen technology for larger domestic rollouts.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the initiative aims to set a benchmark for sustainable transport in India. He said the hydrogen train will help the government cut carbon emissions.
The project is part of a broader strategy to modernize the rail fleet while meeting environmental targets. By utilizing hydrogen fuel cells, the trains produce only water and air as exhaust, eliminating the pollutants typically associated with diesel engines.
“"We are proud to launch the first hydrogen-powered train in the country."”
The introduction of a domestically produced hydrogen train signals India's intent to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels for transport. By successfully piloting a 1,200 kW system on a regional route, the government is testing the infrastructure requirements for hydrogen refueling and the economic feasibility of zero-emission rail before scaling the technology to longer, high-traffic corridors.
