India is on the brink of introducing its first hydrogen-powered train, with final preparations underway for a pilot service on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana as part of a sustainable mobility initiative.
The project, led by Northern Railway, has reached an advanced stage, with the dedicated hydrogen production facility at Jind close to full commissioning. The plant, which uses electrolysis to generate green hydrogen, has a storage capacity of about 3,000 kg and will supply fuel for the train during initial runs and routine operations. A stable 11 kV power supply has been secured to support continuous hydrogen production.
Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi reviewed the project’s progress with officials from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and instructed regular monitoring of the power infrastructure, along with enhanced backup and rapid response plans to ensure smooth commissioning of the facility.
Last month, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that the hydrogen train-set manufacturing has been completed following specifications set by the Research Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO). The pilot will demonstrate the viability of hydrogen traction technology within the Indian Railways network.
The hydrogen-powered train is planned to operate between Jind and Sonipat initially, marking a significant milestone in Indian Railways’ efforts to adopt cleaner propulsion systems and reduce emissions on non-electrified routes.
