Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first indigenously built hydrogen-powered train from Jind railway station in Haryana on Friday [1].
The launch marks a significant shift toward zero-emission transport in one of the world's largest rail networks. By utilizing hydrogen fuel, India aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and demonstrate its capacity for high-tech, domestic engineering [1, 3].
The train operates on a route connecting Jind and Sonepat [2]. During the event, Modi said, "India is now among the select few countries that can run trains on hydrogen fuel" [2]. The project is part of a wider infrastructure push, as the prime minister also announced associated projects valued at Rs 15,000 crore [2].
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the launch is a historic technological achievement [2]. The initiative is designed to integrate clean energy into the rail system to meet environmental goals. Haryana Chief Minister N. S. Saini said the state is committed to green energy and a "Viksit Bharat" [2].
Hydrogen-powered trains produce only water vapor as exhaust, eliminating the carbon emissions associated with diesel locomotives. This indigenous development allows India to control the supply chain, and technology standards, for future rollouts across other states [1, 3].
“"India is now among the select few countries that can run trains on hydrogen fuel."”
This deployment signals India's intent to lead the Global South in green hydrogen adoption. By developing the technology indigenously rather than importing it, the government is attempting to build a sustainable industrial ecosystem that reduces long-term operational costs and carbon footprints for the national rail network.
