Indian Railways begins its first ever Hydrogen Train, which has 10-Cars with 1200 KW Engine with 75 kmph maximum speed, on its Jind-Sonipat section
India's very first Hydrogen-Powered Train was inaugurated today on 17 July 2025. It will run between Jind Junction and Sonipat railway stations in Haryana.
Earlier in May this year, Indian Railways had approved the introduction of India's first hydrogen powered train on the dedicated Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway.
This is India's first indigenous Hydrogen Train. Owned and operated by Indian Railways, it can operate at a maximum speed of 75 Kilometres per hour (kmph), powered by a 1200 Kilo Watt (KW) hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system. The words "Namo Green Rail" is written on the sides of the hydrogen powered locomotive, along with "H2 Zero Emissions".
With this fully hydrogen powered train, India joins the elite club of nations that are using Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology to power clean and sustainable rail operations.
India's very first Hydrogen Train was inaugurated today on 17 July 2026 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the ceremony at Jind Junction railway station in Haryana. This train now runs on the Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railway zone of Indian Railways.
Most hydrogen passenger trains currently operating around the world have only two or three coaches and are primarily deployed on short regional routes. The Indian Railways Hydrogen train-set has been configured as a 10-coach passenger train with a capacity of around 2,600 passengers, demonstrating the scalability of hydrogen-powered rail transport for high-capacity passenger operations.
Main details of the Hydrogen Powered Train on the Jind- Sonipat Section
- Designed and Developed in India. Developed from the design stage through prototype manufacturing.
- 10-car hydrogen fuel cell-based trainset.
- Powered by a 1200 kW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.
- The train-set comprises of two Driving Power Cars (DPCs) of 1200 kW each, totalling 2400 kW along with eight passenger cars.
- As of now, it's the world’s longest (10 coaches) and most powerful (2400 kW) Hydrogen Train-set on Broad Gauge platform.
- Approved to operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph with a design speed of 110 kmph.
- Capacity of Around 2,600 Passengers.
- Zero CO2 emissions or pollution; only emission is water vapour.
- Major step in development of next generation fuel technology in Railways.
- It will connect Jind Junction, Gohana Junction and Sonipat while serving intermediate stations.
- Proposed halts include Jind City, Pandu Pindara Junction, Lalit Khera, Bhambhewa, Isapur Kheri, Butana, Khandrai, Rabrah, Lath, Mohana, Barwasni, and Sonipat.
About the Hydrogen Train Project
The Hydrogen Train project combines advanced propulsion technology with dedicated hydrogen storage, refuelling and operational infrastructure. Developed as a pilot initiative, this project reflects Indian Railways' commitment to innovation. It also advances energy efficiency and environmentally responsible transportation. It aims to demonstrate the feasibility of clean rail transportation in India.
With this advanced project, India joins a group of advanced countries that are exploring hydrogen-powered rail transportation, such as, Germany, Japan, China, and the United States of America. As the hydrogen fuel cell technology remains at a nascent stage, this hydrogen train project is expected to provide provide valuable operational experience and support future applications of hydrogen-powered mobility in the railway sector.
The hydrogen train project has been developed in accordance with design approval and technical specifications prepared by the Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO). Designed and developed entirely in India, the project demonstrates the vision of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Technical details of the Hydrogen Train and infrastructure
India's very first Hydrogen Train has two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars (DPCs) and eight Trailer Coaches (TCs). Each DPC houses fuel cells, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and hydrogen storage cylinders.
The two power cars, one at each end, produce 1,200 kW (1600 hp) of power per DPC, together enough to push the entire train up to 110 km/h.
Unlike conventional diesel locomotives that burn fuel to generate mechanical power, a hydrogen train carries a small power plant onboard in the form of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Hydrogen stored in the train's cylinders combines with oxygen from the surrounding air inside the fuel cell, producing electricity that powers the traction motors and turns the wheels.
The only direct by-products of this electro-chemical reaction are water vapour and heat. There is no combustion, no smoke and no tailpipe carbon emissions.
In simple terms, Hydrogen and Oxygen combine giving Electricity and Water Vapour, where the electricity is used to move the train. The only direct by-product is water vapour. There is no smoke or direct carbon emission, contributing to a greener Indian Railways.
The Hydrogen fuel cell technology produces electricity through a chemical reaction using hydrogen. The primary energy source is a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). This is a fuel cell that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen across a proton-conducting Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) polymer membrane.
The process produces only water vapour and heat as byproducts, that is, there is only heated water vapor that is emitted and no smoke emissions, thus making it a clean non-polluting source of energy to power the train.
Hydrogen is a high-energy fuel, 120 MJ/Kg (megajoules per kilogram) in comparison to diesel, which is 43 MJ/Kg. It is low maintenance with a manageable carbon footprint. This makes hydrogen the cleanest propulsion technology currently available for rail transport. To support this, Indian Railways has established a dedicated infrastructure.
A hydrogen storage and refuelling facility has been established at Jind, Haryana, which can store around 3,000 kg of hydrogen at a time, to support hydrogen-powered train operations.
Licensed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) for storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen gas at the site, the hydrogen ecosystem has been designed in accordance with internationally accepted standards. This includes NFPA-2 (National Fire Protection Association) and ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) 19880 Series.
The entire system has gone through an independent third-party safety assessment, which was carried out by TÃœV SÃœD, Germany, one of the world's leading technical inspection and certification agencies.
To ensure reliable operations, the facility has been equipped with:
- A hydrogen compression system for refuelling operations.
- Technical support and critical spares for reliable functioning.
- A standby compressor to ensure uninterrupted refuelling.
The integrated infrastructure supports safe and efficient hydrogen-powered rail operations.
Ensuring Safety
Hydrogen is a highly flammable fuel, which is flammable when mixed even in small amounts with ordinary air. Hydrogen has an exceptionally low minimum ignition energy that is roughly ten times lower than that of methane and gasoline.
This means that even a tiny, imperceptible static spark can trigger combustion. However, as it has a high auto-ignition temperature, it is highly resistant to self-igniting from heat alone.
This is why handling hydrogen requires specialised safety practices and equipment, due to its extreme sensitivity to sparks and its exceptionally wide flammability range.
Indian Railways has set up multiple independent safety systems to continuously monitor, verify, and protect every stage of hydrogen storage, transfer and utilisation.
As per the Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India, With Multi-layer Safety Systems detecting Hydrogen leaks, heat, flames and smoke, the train is certified as safe.
Operational Preparedness
- Standard operating procedures, regular audits and prescribed safety provisions are in place.
- The maintenance facility at Shakurbasti in Delhi has been prepared for hydrogen train operations.
- Trained and certified personnel will manage critical operations.
- Technical staff will accompany the train during the initial phase.
- The hydrogen refuelling system will remain under 24×7 monitoring.
Safety Measures
- Hydrogen leak detectors have been installed at the production, storage and dispensing facilities.
- Flame detectors have also been installed for continuous monitoring.
- Safety sensors will undergo regular inspection and cleaning.
- Non-stop ventilation keeps air moving through the train at all times.
- If anything unusual is detected, like heat, flame or smoke, the system can automatically cut off the hydrogen supply on its own.
- The Loco Pilot’s cabin has been designed with a special mode that allows the train to be moved to safety in an emergency.
- A screen shows the real health of the whole system to the Loco Pilot at all times.
- Inspection and maintenance schedules have been prescribed to ensure safe operations
According to the Ministry of Railways, The Jind-Sonepat route has been selected for demonstrating the operational viability, safety and reliability of hydrogen-powered passenger train services under regular operating conditions.
The dedicated hydrogen storage, compression and dispensing facility established at Jind will support refuelling operations, creating India's first integrated hydrogen railway ecosystem.
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