--- title: "India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train | Whitepill" canonical_url: "https://www.whitepill.in/milestones/india-first-hydrogen-train" last_updated: "2026-09-07T19:14:03.914Z" meta: description: "India launched its first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger train on 17 July 2026 on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana, jo..." "og:description": "India launched its first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger train on 17 July 2026 on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana, jo..." "og:title": "India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train | Whitepill" "twitter:description": "India launched its first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger train on 17 July 2026 on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana, jo..." "twitter:title": "India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train | Whitepill" --- [All milestones](https://www.whitepill.in/milestones) Infrastructure Government # India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train 17 July 2026 India launched its first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger train on 17 July 2026 on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana, joining a small group of countries worldwide developing or operating hydrogen-powered railways. Germany was the first country to introduce hydrogen passenger trains into commercial service, while countries including China, Japan, the United States, France and Italy have operated, tested or developed hydrogen rail systems. India's entry is particularly notable for the scale of its indigenous trainset: the 10-coach broad-gauge train has two 1,200 kW Driving Power Cars delivering a combined 2,400 kW, making it the world's longest and most powerful hydrogen trainset on a broad-gauge platform at the time of launch. Designed, engineered and integrated in India, the project also established an indigenous hydrogen rail ecosystem covering hydrogen production, storage, compression, dispensing and refuelling infrastructure at Jind. Published by [Whitepill](https://www.whitepill.in/about) on 15 August 2026 ## People involved [Narendra ModiPrime Minister of India](https://www.google.com/search?q=Narendra+Modi) [Ashwini VaishnawUnion Minister for Electronics and Information Technology](https://www.google.com/search?q=Ashwini+Vaishnaw) [Satish KumarChairman and CEO, Railway Board](https://www.google.com/search?q=Satish+Kumar) ## Timeline 1 January 2022 #### Indian Railways begins hydrogen train programme Indian Railways began developing a hydrogen fuel cell-powered train as a pilot project to demonstrate hydrogen propulsion technology for passenger rail operations in India. 1 February 2023 #### Hydrogen for Heritage programme announced Indian Railways announced plans to introduce hydrogen-powered trains as part of its broader effort to explore clean propulsion technologies and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. 1 January 2023 #### Jind–Sonipat selected for hydrogen train pilot The Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana was selected for India's first hydrogen-powered train pilot, providing a route on which the new propulsion technology could be demonstrated under operational conditions. 1 January 2024 #### Indigenous hydrogen train development progresses Indian Railways continued design, engineering and prototype development of the hydrogen train in accordance with technical specifications and design requirements prepared by the Research Design and Standards Organisation. 1 January 2025 #### Hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure developed at Jind A dedicated hydrogen facility was developed at Jind to support the train, including hydrogen production through electrolysis as well as storage, compression and dispensing infrastructure. 10 December 2025 #### Manufacturing of India's first hydrogen train completed Indian Railways announced completion of manufacturing of India's first hydrogen-powered trainset. The completed broad-gauge train consisted of two 1,200 kW Driving Power Cars and eight passenger coaches, providing a combined power output of 2,400 kW. 10 December 2025 #### Train recognised as world's longest and most powerful broad-gauge hydrogen trainset Indian Railways reported that the 10-coach train was the world's longest and most powerful hydrogen trainset on a broad-gauge platform, with a combined power output of 2,400 kW. 27 May 2026 #### Indian Railways approves train for Jind–Sonipat operation Indian Railways approved the 10-car hydrogen fuel cell trainset for operation on the Jind–Sonipat section. The train was approved for an operating speed of up to 75 km/h. 27 May 2026 #### India prepares to join hydrogen rail nations With the indigenous train ready for service, India prepared to join a small group of countries developing and operating hydrogen fuel cell technology for railway transportation. 16 July 2026 #### Technical specifications of hydrogen train detailed Indian Railways detailed the train's indigenous design, hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion, lithium iron phosphate battery systems and onboard hydrogen storage. The train was designed for speeds up to 110 km/h and approved initially for operation at up to 75 km/h. 16 July 2026 #### Passenger capacity confirmed at approximately 2,600 The 10-coach hydrogen train was designed to accommodate approximately 2,600 passengers while operating between Jind and Sonipat and serving intermediate stations along the route. 17 July 2026 #### India's first hydrogen-powered train launched Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India's first indigenous hydrogen-powered train at Jind railway station for operation between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana. 17 July 2026 #### India joins select group of hydrogen rail nations The launch placed India among a select group of countries operating or developing hydrogen-powered railway technology, alongside countries including Germany, Japan, China and the United States. 17 July 2026 #### Indigenous hydrogen rail ecosystem enters operation The project demonstrated more than the train itself, combining an indigenously developed trainset with hydrogen production, storage, refuelling and operational infrastructure to establish an integrated hydrogen railway ecosystem. 17 July 2026 #### Zero tailpipe carbon-emission rail propulsion demonstrated The train's fuel cells generate electricity onboard through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Water vapour is produced as the direct operational by-product, eliminating diesel exhaust and direct tailpipe carbon emissions during hydrogen-powered operation. 25 July 2026 #### Hydrogen train crosses 1,200 kilometres Within days of launch, Indian Railways reported that the hydrogen train had travelled more than 1,200 kilometres on the Jind–Sonipat section without major operational interruption. 25 July 2026 #### More than 3,200 litres of diesel consumption avoided Indian Railways reported that after travelling more than 1,200 kilometres, operation of the hydrogen train had avoided consumption of more than 3,200 litres of diesel. 25 July 2026 #### Delhi-route trials planned Following successful operation on the Jind–Sonipat section, Indian Railways announced that trials of the hydrogen train on a Delhi route would begin subsequently. ## Resources - [officialpib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2285034) - [officialpib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2285268) - [officialpib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2285869) - [officialpib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2289319) - [officialpib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=2201556) - [officialpib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2265781) - [officialpib.gov.in](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2288381)