Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first hydrogen train from Jind railway station in Haryana. The train will operate on the Jind-Sonipat rail section and is aimed at promoting clean energy-based transportation. With the project, India has joined a select group of countries adopting hydrogen technology for rail transport.
During the inauguration ceremony, the Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various development projects worth more than Rs 26,000 crore. According to the government, these projects will provide fresh momentum to the infrastructure, energy and transport sectors.
India’s first hydrogen train will initially operate on the Jind-Sonipat rail section. Passenger fares have been set according to distance, starting at Rs 5 and going up to a maximum of Rs 26.
The train is based entirely on hydrogen fuel technology, which will keep carbon emissions nearly zero and reduce pollutants that harm the environment.
Indian Railways selected the Jind-Sonipat section as the pilot route for the project. Necessary safety and operational infrastructure has also been developed along the route using modern technology.
An indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility has been developed in Jind for the operation of the hydrogen train. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has also granted the necessary permission for the storage and distribution of compressed hydrogen gas at the facility.
According to railway officials, the project will play an important role in developing clean and sustainable transport systems in the future. If the pilot project is successful, hydrogen trains could also be operated on other railway routes in the coming years.
With the launch of the hydrogen train, India has joined countries such as Germany, Japan, China and the United States, where work is underway on hydrogen-based rail transportation. The technology remains at an early stage, with operations or trials currently taking place in only a few countries.
The government believes the initiative, under the 'Hydrogen for Heritage' project, will help achieve goals related to green energy, energy efficiency and net-zero carbon emissions. For Indian Railways, the development is considered a step towards modern technology, environmental protection and sustainable development.
