Jind: India achieved a significant milestone in sustainable transportation on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Indian Railways’ transition towards cleaner and greener mobility. The inaugural service, connecting Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, places India among a select group of countries that have introduced hydrogen-powered trains as part of their railway network.
The hydrogen-powered non-air-conditioned passenger train will operate on the 89-kilometre Jind-Sonipat section, covering the distance in approximately two hours. Designed to run at a maximum operational speed of 75 kmph, the train will halt at 14 stations along the route. Commercial operations are expected to begin soon after the Northern Railway announces the official schedule.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Prime Minister Modi described the launch as a landmark achievement in the evolution of Indian Railways. Drawing parallels with the country’s railway history, he said that just as the first passenger train between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane in 1853 remains a defining moment, the names of Jind, Sonipat and Haryana would also be remembered in the future for ushering in India’s hydrogen rail era.
Highlighting the technological shift in railway transportation, the Prime Minister noted that while the 19th century belonged to steam engines and the 20th century to diesel and electric trains, the 21st century is expected to witness the rise of hydrogen-powered mobility. He said the project represents India’s commitment to embracing advanced, environmentally friendly technologies.
The train has been developed by retrofitting an existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake with a hydrogen-electric propulsion system, replacing conventional diesel engines. It is designed to make two round trips every day, covering a total distance of around 356 kilometres while consuming nearly 300 kilograms of hydrogen. To support operations, Indian Railways has established a hydrogen storage and refuelling facility in Jind with a storage capacity of 3,000 kilograms.
Equipped with 3,200 horsepower, the 10-coach train comprises eight passenger coaches and two driving power cars. It has a maximum carrying capacity of approximately 2,600 passengers, making it one of the highest-capacity hydrogen trains in the world. According to the Prime Minister, while hydrogen trains in several other countries generally operate with only three or four coaches, India’s maiden hydrogen train features a significantly longer configuration.
Given hydrogen’s highly flammable nature, the train has been fitted with multiple layers of safety systems. It is equipped with 15 hydrogen leak detectors, seven heat detectors and three flame detectors to ensure passenger safety. In the event of a hydrogen leak, the system is designed to automatically shut down, preventing any potential hazard.
Officials associated with the project said the train carries 440 kilograms of hydrogen stored at a pressure of 350 bar, with 220 kilograms housed in each of the two driving power cars. The onboard fuel cells convert hydrogen into electrical energy, with water vapour being the only emission, making the train virtually pollution-free during operation. Refilling the hydrogen cylinders takes approximately four hours at the dedicated facility.
Additional Loco Pilot Chandrakant Kumar, who received specialised training at Shakurbasti in Delhi and the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, said operating the hydrogen-powered train is largely similar to driving a conventional DEMU train. However, he emphasised that safety protocols are significantly more stringent because of the nature of hydrogen fuel.
Train Manager Nitin Parikh said adopting hydrogen technology represents an important step towards reducing carbon emissions in the railway sector. He noted that the train is expected to benefit a route with substantial passenger traffic while demonstrating the viability of clean-energy transport on branch lines.
The inaugural journey also carried students from Nav Vidya Senior Secondary School in Jind, giving many of them their first opportunity to travel aboard a hydrogen-powered train. Several students expressed excitement at witnessing the country’s latest technological achievement and learning about the practical application of hydrogen fuel.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi also underlined the future potential of hydrogen technology, stating that India would continue research to improve efficiency and reduce costs before expanding such services. He observed that hydrogen trains are still in the early stages of development globally and are currently operated by only a handful of countries.
Besides launching the hydrogen train, the Prime Minister inaugurated several major infrastructure projects in Haryana, including the 158-kilometre Haryana section of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, the 40.60-kilometre Jind-Gohana National Highway, the 33.81-kilometre Ambala-Kala Amb four-lane highway, and a Sikh museum in Kurukshetra. He also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated projects worth around ₹14,700 crore.
Referring to recent geopolitical developments in West Asia, PM Modi noted that India’s progress in railway electrification had helped ensure uninterrupted train services despite disruptions in global oil markets, underscoring the importance of reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels through cleaner alternatives such as hydrogen.
