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India has launched its first hydrogen-powered train, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the country’s first hydrogen train from Jind Railway Station on Friday. The train has been named “Namo Green Rail.”

The train will initially operate on the 89-kilometre Jind–Sonipat railway route in Haryana. It will serve Jind, Gohana, Sonipat, and several intermediate stations and halts. Powered by hydrogen to generate its own electricity, the train has been described as a historic milestone in India’s journey toward clean, sustainable, and green rail transportation.

While most hydrogen trains around the world are limited to two or three coaches, India has introduced a 10-coach hydrogen train with a passenger capacity of 2,600.

The train does not require overhead electric lines for operation. According to a press release issued by the Indian Ministry of Railways, electricity is generated onboard through a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, where hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the atmosphere. The electricity powers the traction motors, which drive the train’s wheels. The process produces only water vapour and heat, resulting in no smoke or direct carbon emissions.

Over the past 12 years, Indian Railways has rapidly expanded railway electrification, with more than 99 percent of the country’s broad-gauge rail network now electrified. Indian Railways said the hydrogen-powered train marks another significant step toward cleaner rail transport.

The train consists of two hydrogen driving power cars and eight trailer coaches. Each power car is equipped with a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, and hydrogen storage cylinders. Each power car generates 1,200 kilowatts (1.2 MW) of electricity. Together, the two power cars enable the train to reach a maximum speed of 110 km/h, while its initial operating speed has been set at 75 km/h.

To support operations, India has built its largest railway hydrogen refuelling facility in Jind, Haryana. The facility produces hydrogen through electrolysis, a process that uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. According to Indian Railways, the facility can store around 3,000 kilograms of hydrogen.

As hydrogen is highly flammable, safety has been given top priority. The train and the refuelling facility are equipped with advanced sensors to detect hydrogen leaks, heat, fire, and smoke. If any abnormal condition is detected, the hydrogen supply is automatically shut off. The system also includes an emergency capability to move the train to a safe location and a real-time digital monitoring system that continuously tracks the status of the entire operation.

Before entering commercial service, the train successfully completed load box testing, radio frequency testing, oscillation (vibration) testing, and emergency brake testing, according to Indian Railways. The train was approved for operation only after all technical tests and safety evaluations were completed.

The project is being viewed as a significant step toward achieving the goals of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and its long-term net-zero carbon emissions target.

Kantipur