Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, welcomed the approval of India's first hydrogen-powered DEMU train for the state, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government for what he called a historic gift to Haryana. Indian Railways has approved a 10-coach hydrogen DEMU train to operate between Jind and Sonipat, two key districts in Haryana.

Context

Posting in Hindi, CM Saini wrote: 'हरियाणा को मिली एक और ऐतिहासिक सौगात!' ('Haryana receives yet another historic gift!'). He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the central government for allocating India's first hydrogen DEMU train to the state. The approved corridor spans the Jind–Sonipat route, connecting a central Haryana district to a major industrial and transit hub near the National Capital Region.

The announcement marks a significant moment in India's railway modernisation drive, as hydrogen fuel-cell technology is being deployed on a regular passenger corridor for the first time in the country. Haryana becomes the first state to receive such a train under the broader national push to decarbonise rail operations.

Policy Backdrop

Indian Railways has been outlining hydrogen fuel-cell train pilots in successive Union Budgets since 2021, with the stated goal of reducing diesel dependence on non-electrified sections of the network. The National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched by the central government in 2023, provides the overarching policy framework for scaling green hydrogen use across transport and industry in India.

India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, and decarbonising railways is a key pillar of that strategy. Northern states such as Haryana are emerging as early recipients of hydrogen corridor approvals, partly to align with domestic manufacturing ambitions for fuel-cell technology. The Jind–Sonipat corridor is among the first regular-route approvals to move beyond heritage or pilot-only tracks.

Stakeholders and Impact

Daily commuters between Jind and Sonipat stand to benefit most directly, gaining access to a cleaner, modern train service on a route that currently relies on diesel traction. The corridor also carries symbolic weight as a demonstration project that could influence similar approvals across other non-electrified sections in Haryana and neighbouring states.

For Indian Railways and domestic fuel-cell manufacturers, the approval is an opportunity to validate hydrogen DEMU operations at scale, covering safety certifications, maintenance protocols, and operational economics under real-world conditions. Broader stakeholders include Haryana's industrial sector, which may see ancillary infrastructure investments tied to hydrogen supply chains along the corridor.

What's Next

The immediate focus will be on the actual rollout timeline and the completion of safety certifications required before the 10-coach hydrogen DEMU enters passenger service on the Jind–Sonipat route. Indian Railways and state authorities are expected to announce operational milestones as the project progresses through procurement and testing phases.

If the Haryana corridor demonstrates reliable performance, it is likely to accelerate similar hydrogen train approvals on other non-electrified sections across northern India. The project will be closely watched as a benchmark for India's ability to indigenously develop, certify, and operate hydrogen-powered rolling stock at a commercial scale.