Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train from the Jind railway station in Haryana on July 17, 2026 [2].
The launch marks a shift toward sustainable transit and serves as a showcase for the BJP-led NDA government’s "double-engine" development model in the region.
During the visit, Modi announced development projects in Haryana valued at Rs 15,000 crore [1]. The prime minister said the transformation of Jind was notable, noting that while the local ghee and ghevar remain the same, the city's "tevar" — or attitude — has changed [3].
Modi said the introduction of the hydrogen-powered locomotive represents a historic moment for clean and sustainable rail transport in India [3]. The initiative aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the national rail network by replacing traditional fuels with hydrogen technology.
Officials said the visit was intended to highlight a significant development journey for the state [4]. The projects include infrastructure upgrades designed to stimulate economic growth, and modernize transport links across Haryana.
Modi said the integration of green technology into the railway system is a key pillar of the government's broader environmental goals. The event at the Jind railway station served as both a technical milestone for the Ministry of Railways and a political demonstration of the administration's investment in regional hubs [1, 2].
“"This is a historic moment for clean and sustainable rail transport in India."”
The deployment of India's first hydrogen-powered train signals a strategic move to diversify the country's energy mix in transport. By combining high-value infrastructure spending with green technology, the government is attempting to link environmental sustainability with regional economic development, positioning Haryana as a testing ground for future nationwide decarbonization of the rail network.
