PM to launch indigenous service in Haryana
New Delhi, Jul 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India’s first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana on Friday, marking a major milestone in the country’s transition to clean and sustainable rail transport.
The 10-coach train, designed and developed using indigenous technology, will be among the world’s longest and most powerful hydrogen-powered passenger trains. The launch is part of the Prime Minister’s visit to Haryana, where he will inaugurate and dedicate multiple development projects.
The hydrogen-powered train, capable of carrying around 2,600 passengers, generates electricity onboard through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapour and heat as by-products. Unlike conventional electric trains, it does not rely on overhead power lines and offers near-zero emissions at the point of use.
The train will initially operate on the 89-km Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway. It comprises two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars and eight trailer coaches, with each power car generating 1,200 kW of power. The train has a design speed of 110 kmph and will initially operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph.
Indian Railways said the train has been developed under the leadership of the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), integrated by Medha Servo Drives and designed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), reflecting India’s growing capabilities in advanced railway engineering.
To support operations, Railways has established India’s first integrated hydrogen railway ecosystem at Jind, including facilities for hydrogen production through electrolysis, storage, compression and dispensing. The refuelling facility can store nearly 3,000 kg of hydrogen and has been approved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
The train has been equipped with multiple safety systems, including hydrogen leak detectors, flame and smoke sensors, automatic hydrogen shut-off mechanisms and continuous ventilation. The hydrogen ecosystem has undergone an independent third-party safety assessment by TÜV SÜD, Germany, and complies with international safety standards.
According to Indian Railways, while hydrogen passenger trains operating globally generally comprise two to four coaches for regional services, India’s 10-coach configuration demonstrates the scalability of hydrogen-powered rail transport for high-capacity passenger operations. The Railways plans to expand the technology to other routes, including heritage railways, as part of its long-term green mobility strategy.
