Indian Railways is set to enter a new era of sustainable transportation with the launch of the country’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered train, which is scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 17.
The train will operate on the 89-km Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana, covering the distance in approximately two hours. According to the Railway Board’s schedule issued on July 8, Train No. 74010 will depart from Jind at 7:40 a.m. and arrive in Sonipat at 9:40 a.m. On the return journey, Train No. 74009 will leave Sonipat at 10:40 a.m. and reach Jind at 1:00 p.m.
The hydrogen-powered DEMU train will halt at 12 intermediate stations, including Jind City, Pandu Pindara, Lalit Khera, Bhambeva, Ishapur Kheri, Butana, Khandrai, Gohana, Rabhra, Lath, Mohana Haryana and Barwasni.
Railway officials said the timeline for regular passenger services is yet to be finalised, although the Railway Board has directed Northern Railway to complete the process at the earliest.
The 10-coach DEMU train has 682 seats and a total carrying capacity of 2,600 passengers. It is expected to cover 356 km daily, completing two round trips on the Jind–Sonipat route.
During trial runs, the train achieved a maximum speed of 120 kmph, but its operational speed during regular service will be 75 kmph.
Powered by hydrogen fuel cells instead of diesel, the train emits only water vapour, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional rail transport. The project is being seen as a major step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting green mobility in India.
To ensure safe operations, the Ministry of Railways has decided to deploy specially trained technical personnel on board for the first three months of service. The team will provide immediate assistance in case of any technical issues during operation.
The Railways expects the hydrogen-powered train to become a significant milestone in India’s transition towards cleaner, greener and more sustainable public transportation.