Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to introduce cleaner and more sustainable rail transport.
The hydrogen fuel cell train will operate as a pilot project on the 89-km Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana under the Northern Railway, becoming India’s first passenger train to use hydrogen fuel cell technology for propulsion.
Announcing the launch on X, Prime Minister Modi said the project places India among a select group of nations developing hydrogen-powered rail systems and reflects the country’s commitment to adopting green technologies in the transport sector.
Prime Minister @narendramodi flags off India’s first Hydrogen train between Jind and Sonipat at Jind railway station#HydrogenTrain #भारत_की_पहली_हाइड्रोजन_ट्रेन @RailMinIndia
Watch: ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/j1lJCliqRs
— PIB India (@PIB_India) July 17, 2026
“India has become one of the select group of nations that have such trains. This will go a long way in ensuring that India adopts clean technology in the railway sector,” the Prime Minister said.
What makes the hydrogen-powered train different?
Unlike conventional diesel-powered trains, the new train uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity. The technology combines hydrogen with oxygen to produce electrical energy, emitting only water vapour as a by-product and significantly reducing carbon emissions.
The pilot project also includes supporting infrastructure such as hydrogen storage and refuelling facilities, which are essential for operating hydrogen-based rail services.
Railway officials view the project as an important step in evaluating hydrogen technology for wider adoption across the Indian Railways network.
Key features of India’s first hydrogen train
The hydrogen-powered train has been developed entirely from the design stage through prototype manufacturing and includes several notable features:
10-coach hydrogen fuel cell trainset
1,200 kW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system
Maximum operational speed of 75 kmph
Design speed of 110 kmph
Passenger capacity of around 2,600
Dedicated hydrogen storage and refuelling infrastructure
Pilot project to test hydrogen-powered railway operations in India
Route and stations
The train will operate between Jind Junction and Sonipat, covering a distance of 89 kilometres.
Apart from the two terminal stations, the service is expected to halt at several stations along the route, including:
Jind City
Pandu Pindara Junction
Lalit Khera Halt
Bhambhewa
Isapur Kheri Halt
Butana Halt
Khandrai Halt
Rabrah Halt
Lath Halt
Mohana
Barwasni Halt
Sonipat New
The pilot service is expected to provide operational data that could help shape future hydrogen-powered railway projects in the country.
India joins a select group of nations
With the launch, India joins a small group of countries that are investing in hydrogen-powered rail transport.
Germany became the first country to introduce hydrogen-powered passenger trains with the Alstom Coradia iLint, which entered commercial service as a zero-emission alternative to diesel trains. In 2022, the train completed a journey of more than 1,100 kilometres without refuelling.
Germany is also expanding hydrogen rail operations through additional services on the Südostbayernbahn network.
Japan is developing its first hydrogen hybrid passenger train, named Hybari, which is expected to begin operations by the end of fiscal 2027 on railway lines in Kanagawa Prefecture.
In the United States, California introduced its first hydrogen-powered passenger train, ZEMU, in San Bernardino in 2024 as part of efforts to promote clean public transportation.
Countries including China have also been investing in hydrogen-powered railway technology as part of broader clean-energy initiatives.
Why hydrogen trains matter
Hydrogen-powered trains are increasingly being viewed as an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel locomotives, particularly on non-electrified railway routes.
By replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen fuel cells, such trains can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower dependence on imported fuels and support long-term decarbonisation goals.
For India, the pilot project is expected to serve as a test bed for hydrogen technology before any large-scale deployment across the railway network.
The initiative is also aligned with the country’s broader push towards green mobility, renewable energy and cleaner transportation infrastructure.
