India is all set to enter a new era of sustainable rail transport as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the country’s first hydrogen-powered train on July 17. The train will operate between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, marking a significant milestone under the Green Transport Mission and the Make in India initiative. Designed to reduce carbon emissions, the hydrogen fuel cell-powered train produces only water vapor and heat, making it an eco-friendly alternative to conventional diesel-powered trains.
The train is equipped with a 1,200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system and can travel up to 250 kilometers on a single hydrogen refill. It is expected to cover the nearly 90-kilometer Jind–Sonipat route in around one hour, cutting the current travel time by nearly half. With a passenger capacity of approximately 2,500 people and an expected ticket price ranging from ₹5 to ₹25, the service aims to provide fast, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation.
Built at a cost of around ₹89 crore, the train has been designed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in Lucknow and manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. It also features advanced safety systems, including 27 hydrogen cylinders, hydrogen leakage detectors, fire detection systems, and modern monitoring technology. If the pilot project proves successful, Indian Railways plans to expand hydrogen-powered train services to other parts of the country, reducing dependence on diesel and supporting India’s clean energy goals.
