PM Modi flags off India’s first Hydrogen train in Jind

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train on the 89-km Jind–Sonipat section in Haryana on 17 July 2026.

The train marks a significant milestone in India’s transition towards clean, sustainable and indigenous railway technology under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The 10-coach hydrogen fuel cell train has the capacity to carry around 2,600 passengers and generates its own electricity onboard using hydrogen, producing only water vapour and heat as by-products.

The train is powered by a 1,200 kW Hydrogen Fuel Cell Propulsion System, making it one of the most powerful hydrogen-powered trains developed for railway operations.

The project has been designed and developed entirely in India based on technical specifications and design approvals prepared by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the R&D wing of Indian Railways.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

The train uses Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) technology to generate electricity.

In this process, hydrogen reacts with oxygen across a proton-conducting Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) polymer membrane, producing electricity through an electrochemical reaction without combustion.

The only by-products are water vapour and heat, making it a zero tailpipe emission technology.

Hydrogen has a very high energy density of about 120 MJ/kg, compared to approximately 43 MJ/kg for diesel, making it a highly efficient fuel for rail transport.

Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure

To support hydrogen train operations, Indian Railways has established the country’s largest railway hydrogen storage and refuelling facility at Jind, Haryana.

The indigenous facility can store nearly 3,000 kg of compressed hydrogen and provides refuelling support for hydrogen-powered trains.

The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has granted the licence for the storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen gas at the facility.

The hydrogen ecosystem has been developed in accordance with internationally accepted safety standards, including:

• NFPA-2 (National Fire Protection Association Hydrogen Technologies Code)
• ISO 19880 Series for hydrogen fuelling infrastructure.

The entire system has also undergone an independent third-party safety assessment by TÜV SÜD, Germany, a globally recognized technical inspection and certification agency.

About Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trains

• Hydrogen fuel cell trains generate electricity onboard using hydrogen and oxygen through an electrochemical reaction.
• They emit only water vapour and heat, with no carbon dioxide or particulate emissions during operation.
• They are quieter, more energy-efficient and require lower maintenance than conventional diesel trains.
• Hydrogen-powered trains are considered a promising clean alternative for non-electrified railway routes, helping decarbonize rail transport while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Source: PIB

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