India launches first hydrogen-powered train, joining select group of nations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the NaMo Green Rail at Jind station in Haryana, a pilot project to test zero-emission technology on non-electrified lines.
The launch
India put its first hydrogen-powered train into service on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off the NaMo Green Rail at Jind railway station in the northern state of Haryana. The event marks the country's entry into a small group of nations operating zero-emission rail technology. Modi described the day as significant for India's self-reliance and sustainable development.
This is a very significant day in the direction of self-reliant India and sustainable development.
The train and its route
The 10-coach train can seat about 2,600 passengers and reaches a top speed of 75 km/h. It will run two return trips each day along a roughly 90-kilometre corridor linking Jind and Sonipat. The pilot service is designed for short- and medium-distance routes that are not yet fully electrified, allowing engineers to assess safety, efficiency, and real-world performance.
Technology and cost
Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen, producing only water vapour and heat as by-products. The train's propulsion system has a power rating of 1,200 kilowatts. A hydrogen storage tank with a capacity of nearly three tonnes has been built at Jind to ensure regular refuelling. The project cost approached $12 million, a senior railway official told AFP, making it considerably more expensive than a comparable diesel or conventional electric train. While the train was developed entirely in India, the railway ministry acknowledged that several components, including the fuel cell batteries, were imported.
India's green ambitions
The launch is part of India's National Hydrogen Mission, which aims to position the country as a global hub for green hydrogen production and use. Indian Railways is exploring hydrogen as an alternative to diesel on some routes, with a target of making the network net-zero by 2030. The broader national goal is carbon neutrality by 2070. However, India remains the world's third-largest emitter, and three-quarters of its electricity is still generated by coal-fired plants. The recent Middle East war also highlighted the country's heavy reliance on oil and gas.
Global context
Before India, hydrogen-powered trains were introduced in China, Germany, Japan, and the United States. Germany launched the world's first hydrogen train fleet in 2022. India's vast rail network, spanning 85,000 kilometres and carrying 7.45 billion passengers and 1.67 billion tonnes of freight last year, makes the pilot a closely watched test of whether the technology can scale in a developing-country setting.
