India has officially launched its first hydrogen-powered train, marking a major milestone in the country’s transition towards clean and sustainable transportation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the indigenously developed train on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana, making India one of the few countries to operate hydrogen-powered passenger rail services.
Unlike conventional diesel trains, the new train uses hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The only by-product of this process is water vapour, making the train a near-zero-emission mode of transport and an important step in reducing the carbon footprint of Indian Railways.
The train consists of two hydrogen-powered driving cars and eight passenger coaches, can carry around 2,600 passengers, and is supported by India’s largest hydrogen refuelling facility at Jind. Developed using indigenous technology under the Make in India initiative, it also incorporates advanced safety systems to detect hydrogen leaks and overheating.
The launch is expected to accelerate India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission while demonstrating the potential of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for rail transport. Officials believe the technology could eventually be expanded to more non-electrified railway routes, supporting India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and strengthening its leadership in green mobility.
