Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday, 16 July 2026, hailed the launch of India's first indigenous hydrogen-powered train as a landmark moment in the country's green energy transition, describing green hydrogen as 'the most exciting chapter in India's green transition journey.' The 10-coach Hydrogen Fuel Cell train, powered by a 1,200 kW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, is set to operate on the Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana, emitting only water vapour.

Context

Puri's post underscores the cross-ministerial significance of the hydrogen train project, with the Petroleum Ministry's stake rooted in India's National Green Hydrogen Mission — a Cabinet-approved programme with a Rs 19,744 crore outlay, launched in January 2023, aimed at positioning India as a global green hydrogen hub. The train project is designed and developed entirely in India, and is backed by indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling infrastructure at Jind, reinforcing the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of domestic technology self-reliance.

The minister noted that the train 'emits only water vapour, making it a clean, green and sustainable alternative' to conventional diesel-powered rolling stock. With this development, India joins an elite group of nations — including Germany, Japan, China, and the United States — exploring hydrogen fuel cell technology for sustainable rail operations.

Policy Backdrop

Indian Railways, the world's fourth-largest rail network, has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 as part of its decarbonisation roadmap. Hydrogen fuel cell trains are seen as a viable solution for non-electrified or hard-to-electrify routes, where overhead wire infrastructure is either absent or economically unfeasible.

Germany was among the first movers globally, with its Coradia iLint hydrogen train entering commercial service in 2018. India's entry into this space with an indigenously designed system — rather than an imported one — marks a qualitative shift in the country's green mobility ambitions. The Jind-Sonipat corridor in Haryana has been identified as the initial trial route for this technology.

Stakeholders and Impact

The hydrogen train directly benefits rail passengers on the Jind-Sonipat corridor and signals a broader opportunity for India's nascent green hydrogen industry, which stands to gain from demand generated by transport applications. Indigenous development of the propulsion system and refuelling infrastructure also creates potential for technology exports and domestic manufacturing jobs.

The project aligns with India's commitment made at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, and with the interim target of integrating green hydrogen into hard-to-abate transport segments. Puri tagged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in his post, reflecting the multi-stakeholder coordination behind the initiative.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the commercial rollout timeline for the Jind-Sonipat service and whether the Railway Board or the Ministry of Railways will announce additional routes for hydrogen train operations. Progress on standardising hydrogen storage and refuelling protocols under the National Green Hydrogen Mission will be a key enabler for scaling the technology beyond the pilot corridor.

If the Jind-Sonipat trial demonstrates operational reliability and cost viability, it could catalyse a wider network of hydrogen rail corridors across India — particularly on routes where full electrification remains a challenge — marking a decisive shift in how the country powers its vast rail network.