India launches its first home-grown hydrogen-powered train

India has launched its first domestically developed hydrogen-powered passenger train, creating a real-world test for cleaner rail travel.

The ten-car train is designed to carry around 2,600 passengers on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana. Its 1,200-kilowatt fuel-cell system produces electricity onboard by combining hydrogen with oxygen. The direct by-products are water vapour and heat rather than diesel exhaust.

Indian Railways has also built dedicated hydrogen storage and refuelling infrastructure at Jind. The pilot has been approved to operate at up to 75 kilometres per hour, with a design speed of 110 kilometres per hour. Independent safety assessments and monitoring systems have been included.

This matters because hydrogen trains could provide a lower-emission alternative on routes where full electrification is difficult or expensive. The pilot will help engineers understand performance, maintenance, safety and infrastructure needs in everyday service. Readers should care because successful trials could expand cleaner public transport while helping India develop domestic expertise in green hydrogen technology.