Jind (Haryana, India): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered passenger train connecting Jind and Sonipat in the northern state of Haryana.
With the launch, India joins a select group of countries operating hydrogen-powered trains, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to promote clean and sustainable mobility in the railway sector.
The train will cover the 89-km route between Jind and Sonipat in around two hours, stopping at 12 intermediate stations.
India's Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini attended the flag-off ceremony at Jind railway station.
Modi waved as the train, carrying passengers including several schoolchildren, departed from the station.
Designed, engineered and integrated in India, the train has been developed using indigenous technology, showcasing the country's growing capabilities in advanced railway engineering.
The sky-blue and white train is powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology, which generates electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen. The only by-product of the process is water vapour, resulting in zero carbon emissions during operation.
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Compared with diesel-powered trains, hydrogen trains eliminate tailpipe emissions, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and fuel imports, and operate with significantly lower noise levels.
Unlike conventional electric trains, they do not require continuous overhead electrification, as electricity is generated onboard through hydrogen fuel cells, making them suitable for routes where electrification is not feasible.
The use of green hydrogen can also reduce reliance on electricity generated from fossil fuel-based thermal power plants, supporting India's transition towards cleaner transport.
India's hydrogen-powered train consists of 10 coaches, making it one of the longest hydrogen-powered passenger trainsets developed to date. It is equipped with a 3,200-horsepower propulsion system, making it among the most powerful hydrogen-powered trains currently in operation.
