Hydrogen Train Launch July 17: Route, top speed, interior & exterior pictures, FAQs, and all you need to know about India’s first alternative-fuel train

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train from Jind in Haryana, marking a major milestone in the country’s transition towards cleaner rail transport. The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train, which will operate on the Jind–Sonipat section, generates its own electricity onboard using hydrogen instead of diesel or overhead electric wires, making it India’s first passenger train powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The launch follows India’s rapid railway electrification drive, with more than 99 per cent of the country’s broad-gauge rail network now electrified. The hydrogen train represents the next phase of this transition by generating electricity onboard through hydrogen fuel cells, producing only water vapour and heat as by-products.

The project also establishes India’s first integrated hydrogen railway ecosystem, including hydrogen production, storage, refuelling infrastructure and train operations.

What is India’s first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train?

Unlike conventional electric trains that rely on overhead power lines or diesel locomotives, the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train generates its own electricity onboard.

It uses Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology, where hydrogen stored in high-pressure cylinders reacts with oxygen from the atmosphere to produce electricity.

The electricity powers the train’s traction motors, while the only by-products are water vapour and heat.

In simple terms: Hydrogen + Oxygen → Electricity + Water vapour

Because the process involves no combustion, the train produces virtually no direct carbon emissions during operation.

India’s first hydrogen train route

The hydrogen-powered train will initially operate on the 89-kilometre Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana.

The route connects:

• Jind Junction
• Gohana Junction
• Sonipat

It will also serve several intermediate stations and halts, including Jind City, Pandu Pindara Junction, Bhambhewa, Butana Halt, Khandrai Halt, Rabrah Halt, Lath Halt, Mohana, Barwasni Halt and Sonipat New.

Indian Railways says the route has been selected to evaluate the operational performance, safety and reliability of hydrogen-powered passenger services under regular operating conditions.

Passenger capacity and coaches

The train consists of:

• Eight passenger coaches
• Two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars (DPCs)

Together, they can accommodate around 2,600 passengers.

According to Indian Railways, this makes it one of the largest hydrogen-powered passenger trains in the world, as most hydrogen trains currently operating internationally have only two to four coaches.

Speed of India’s hydrogen train

The train will initially operate at a maximum speed of 75 km/h on the Jind–Sonipat route.

However, it has been designed for a top speed of 110 km/h.

Each Hydrogen Driving Power Car generates approximately 1,200 kilowatts (around 1,600 horsepower), providing sufficient power for…