PM Modi flags off India's first hydrogen train today: Know about route, speed and refuelling technology

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India's first hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonipat at Jind railway station on Friday. With this, India would join a select group of countries that have operational hydrogen-powered trains.

The prime minister will lay the foundation stone and launch various development projects worth around ₹14,700 crore at Eklavya Stadium, Jind. PM Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion.

On Friday, after his Jind visit, Modi will also travel to Chandigarh in the afternoon, where he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects worth over ₹4,700 crore, an official statement said. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

Later, he will visit Jalandhar in Punjab, where he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth over ₹5,470 crore.

India's first hydrogen train

During his Haryana visit, the prime minister will flag off India's first hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonipat (89-km stretch), marking an important step towards the adoption of clean and sustainable mobility in the railway sector.

Designed, engineered and integrated in India, the train has been developed using indigenous technology, reflecting the country's growing capabilities in advanced railway engineering.

The train is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which converts hydrogen into electricity to propel the train. The process produces only water vapour as a by-product, resulting in zero carbon emissions during operation.

Compared to diesel trains, they eliminate tailpipe emissions, reduce dependence on and imports of fossil fuels, and operate with significantly less noise.

Unlike conventional electric trains, they do not require continuous overhead electrification, as electricity is generated on board via hydrogen fuel cells, making them a clean and efficient solution. The use of green hydrogen also reduces dependence on electricity generated by fossil-fuel thermal power plants, supporting India's transition to sustainable transport.

India's hydrogen train features a 10-coach configuration, making it among the longest hydrogen-powered passenger trains developed so far. Its 3,200 HP propulsion system makes it one of the most powerful hydrogen-powered trainsets in operation.

Fluitron-manufactured HRS

While the hydrogen fuel cell train and electrolyser at the Jind station were delivered by the project's primary contractors, Medha and Green-H2B2, Fluitron has manufactured the Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HRS).

The HRS at Jind serves as the vital link, safely converting on-site hydrogen into usable, high-pressure rail fuel. The hydrogen produced by the electrolyser is safely dispensed to the locomotive via the Fluitron HRS.

The refuelling technology stack, comprising a high-pressure compressor system (18 kg/hr flow, 500 bar output pressure), two specialised hydrogen dispensers (350 bar each) and an integrated fuelling system management platform fully automated that coordinates compression, storage and dispensing to ensure consistent fuel delivery and continuously monitors safety across every refuelling cycle.

“Fluitron is executing multiple hydrogen refuelling station projects in India under the MNRE National Green Hydrogen Mission and is collaborating with Indian Railways to implement similar systems for heritage routes like the Darjeeling, Kalka–Shimla and Nilgiri Mountain regions,” Fluitron’s Global Sales Director, Motti Thomas, said in a statement.

The train will cover the 89-km distance between Jind and Sonipat in two hours, with 12 intermediate stops, news agency PTI reported.

What's the train route?

According to the Railway Board, Hydrogen Train No 74010 will depart from Jind railway station at 7.40 AM during its regular service and arrive at Sonipat at 9.40 AM, the news agency said.

The train will halt at 12 intermediate stations: Jind City, Pandu Pindara, Lalit Khera, Bhambeva, Ishapur Kheri, Butana, Khandrai, Gohana, Rabhra, Lath, Mohana Haryana and Barwasni. On its return journey, Train No 74009 will depart from Sonipat at 10.40 AM and reach Jind at 1.00 PM, halting at the same stations en route.

The train would cover 356 km daily, making two round-trip journeys between Jind and Sonipat, with each one-way journey spanning 89 km. The 10-coach train has 682 seats and a total passenger capacity of 2,600. Although the train attained a maximum speed of 120 kmph during trials, its maximum operational speed during regular service will be 75 kmph.

₹12,470 cr worth projects

At Jind, Modi will also launch National Highway projects worth over ₹12,470 crores in Haryana.

The prime minister will launch the 157.92 km long four-lane, fully access-controlled Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (packages 1 to 5), developed at a cost of around ₹9,680 crore. The Greenfield corridor forms part of the 667 km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway.

The expressway will reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from about 14 hours to nearly 6 hours, while cutting the Delhi-Amritsar journey from about 8 hours to 4 hours, a statement said.

The project is expected to significantly decongest NH-44 (GT Road), boost pilgrim and tourist traffic to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, and catalyse industrial and logistics development along the corridor.

The prime minister will also inaugurate the 33.81 km four-lane, partially access-controlled Ambala-Kala Amb Highway on NH-7 and NH-344. The highway will strengthen connectivity between the Ambala urban agglomeration and the Kala Amb industrial belt, improve road links between Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, facilitate tourist movement to the hill regions and reduce logistics costs for industries in the Kala Amb area.

The 40.60 km Jind-Gohana Greenfield Highway on NH-352A will also be opened. The new highway will reduce travel time between Jind and Gohana from about 2 hours to just 40 minutes, benefiting commuters, freight transport, and the agriculturally significant Jind-Gohana region, while improving connectivity to Rohtak, Panipat, and Delhi-NCR.

Modi will also lay the foundation stone for the 24.27 km Hansi-Barwala Brownfield Highway Project, which will upgrade the existing carriageway to a 2/4-lane configuration with paved shoulders.

The prime minister will inaugurate the Elevated Railway Track at Kurukshetra, a major urban infrastructure project that will eliminate long-standing traffic congestion at railway crossings in the city. The project will ensure smoother vehicular movement, improve road safety and enhance the operational efficiency of both rail and road transport systems.

PM Modi will also dedicate major medical institutions to the nation – Pandit Neki Ram Sharma Government Medical College, Bhiwani, Maharishi Chyawan Medical College and Rao Tula Ram Hospital, Koriawas, Narnaul.

These institutions will expand access to quality medical education in Haryana, increase the number of MBBS seats, improve the availability of specialist healthcare professionals and enable people to access better medical services closer to their homes.

The PM will also lay the foundation stone of a Sikh Museum in Kurukshetra, which will showcase the history of Sikhism, the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, their courage and sacrifices and the invaluable contribution of the Sikh community to India's civilisation.

(With agency inputs)