Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train connecting Jind and Sonipat from Jind railway station, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to adopt cleaner and more sustainable modes of rail transportation. During the visit, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects in Haryana worth around ₹15,000 crore. Addressing a public gathering after launching the hydrogen-powered train, Modi described the occasion as a historic moment for Indian Railways and the country's clean energy ambitions.
He said India had joined a select group of nations, including Germany, Japan, China and the United States, that are exploring hydrogen as an alternative fuel for rail transport. The Prime Minister said the project had secured a permanent place for Jind and Haryana in the history of Indian Railways. “If we look at the history of railways, the hallmark of the 19th century was the steam engine. The 20th century belonged to diesel and electric trains, and now the 21st century railway is hydrogen-powered,” Modi said. He added that whenever India's hydrogen-powered trains are discussed in the future, the names of Jind, Sonipat and Haryana would be remembered, drawing a comparison with the historic first train that ran between Bombay and Thane.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the government's broader efforts to modernise the railway network, stating that nearly 99 per cent of India's railway system has been electrified over the past 12 years. He said the transition towards cleaner technologies, including electrification and hydrogen-powered trains, would strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support the country's environmental goals. Referring to the ongoing tensions in the Gulf region and around the Strait of Hormuz, Modi said India was now better positioned to deal with disruptions in global energy supplies than it was a decade ago. He noted that before 2014, a large portion of the Indian Railways network depended on diesel, making it more vulnerable to fluctuations in international fuel markets. Increased electrification, he said, had reduced that dependence significantly.
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The Prime Minister also praised the development achieved in Haryana under what he described as the BJP-led "double-engine" government at the Centre and in the state. He said Jind had become an example of good governance and that the projects launched on Friday would inject fresh momentum into the state's development journey. Alongside the hydrogen train, Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated development projects worth approximately ₹15,000 crore across sectors aimed at improving infrastructure and public services in Haryana. The projects are expected to contribute to economic growth, employment generation and improved connectivity in the state.
Recalling his long association with Haryana, Modi said visiting Jind brought back memories from the early days of his political and organisational work. He said the affection and support he received from people in the region during those years remained close to his heart. The launch of India's first hydrogen-powered train represents a key step in the country's push towards sustainable transport and cleaner energy technologies. As Indian Railways continues to modernise its network, the adoption of hydrogen-powered trains is expected to complement electrification efforts and support India's long-term commitment to reducing carbon emissions while enhancing transportation efficiency.
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