India is about to enter a new era of sustainable rail travel. On July 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the country’s first hydrogen-powered train, named ‘Namo Green Rail’, from Jind in Haryana. This makes India one of a select group of nations — including Germany, Japan, China, and the US — that are testing hydrogen technology for cleaner rail transport.
How the hydrogen-powered train works
The train runs on a fuel cell that uses hydrogen to generate electricity. According to The Tribune, in the fuel cell, hydrogen is fed to the anode and oxygen to the cathode. At the anode, hydrogen molecules are split into protons and electrons with the help of a catalyst, usually platinum. At the cathode, oxygen reacts with protons to form water, completing the process. This means the only emission from the train is water — making it a zero-emission mode of transport.
Route, speed, and design details
The 10-coach train will run on a dedicated 89-km section between Jind and Sonepat. It has a maximum speed of 75 kmph. The train is powered by a 1,200-KW propulsion system, which is part of an indigenous fuel-cell-based Distributed Power Rolling Stock (DPRS) designed at the Integrated Coach Factory in Chennai.
According to The Indian Express, the train is a milestone not only for Indian Railways but also for Haryana, as it demonstrates the practical use of hydrogen-powered train technology in the country.
What this means for Indian Railways
This launch is a big step toward cleaner rail travel in India. Hydrogen-powered trains produce no harmful emissions — only water vapor. This could help Indian Railways reduce its carbon footprint significantly. The technology is still in its early stages globally, but India is now among the first countries to put it into operation.
As reported by YouTube, the train is expected to be flagged off by PM Modi on July 17 from Jind, Haryana, marking a new chapter in India’s sustainable transportation journey.
Our Take: A smart bet on green rail
In our view, the launch of India’s first hydrogen-powered train is a smart and timely move. While electric trains are already common, hydrogen offers a different advantage — it can be stored and used on routes where electrification is difficult or expensive. The fact that the train is designed and built in India, at the Integrated Coach Factory in Chennai, is also a strong signal of domestic manufacturing capability. However, the real test will be in scaling up — producing green hydrogen at a low cost and building the refueling infrastructure. If India can crack that, this train could be the start of a much bigger shift in how the country moves people and goods.
