Indian Railways Sanctions Hydrogen Train Pilot Project on Haryana’s Jind-Sonipat Section

Indian Railways has approved the Jind–Sonipat section in Haryana for pilot operations of India’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train, marking a major step in the country’s push toward clean mobility and low-emission transport systems. The nearly 90-kilometre route under the Northern Railway zone has been selected for the initial trial phase of the project.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader “Hydrogen for Heritage” programme, which aims to decarbonise select railway routes and reduce dependence on diesel-based traction. The pilot project reflects Indian Railways’ wider strategy to move toward net-zero carbon emissions by adopting alternative fuel technologies across its network.

The train itself is a 10-coach DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) retrofitted with hydrogen fuel cell technology. In this system, hydrogen and oxygen combine to generate electricity, with water vapour being the only emission, positioning it as a zero-carbon mode of rail transport. The train is designed to reach speeds of up to 75 kmph and delivers around 1,200 kilowatts of power using distributed propulsion technology.

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According to official communication from the Railway Board, rolling stock approval for the hydrogen train has been granted specifically for operations on the Jind–Sonipat section. Maintenance for the specialised trainset has been planned at the Shakurbasti depot in Delhi, with trained technical personnel expected to oversee early-stage operations and system monitoring during trials.

To support the project, India’s first dedicated hydrogen production and refuelling facility has been set up at Jind railway station. The plant uses electrolysis to produce green hydrogen and includes storage capacity of approximately 3,000 kilograms, along with dispensing infrastructure for operational use. The facility is central to ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply during the pilot phase.

Officials have stated that commercial rollout will depend on successful completion of safety checks, technical validation, and operational clearances. The project is being viewed as a key experimental step in integrating hydrogen technology into India’s rail ecosystem, with potential implications for scaling up green rail transport across the country in the coming years.

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