India debuts hydrogen-powered train as part of sustainability drive

India has entered the ranks of nations successfully operating hydrogen-powered rail technology with the inauguration of its first domestically manufactured locomotive. Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally launched the train, emphasizing its significance for India's self-reliance and sustainability objectives. The vehicle, branded the NaMo Green Rail, represents a domestic engineering achievement and will serve a practical transportation function across the state of Haryana.

The 10-coach train is designed to accommodate approximately 2,600 passengers and will operate at maximum speeds of 75 kilometers per hour. It will complete two round-trip journeys daily along a 90-kilometer corridor connecting the cities of Jind and Sonipat. The hydrogen-powered system produces only heat and water vapor as emissions, offering a cleaner alternative to conventional diesel locomotives.

India has already electrified nearly its entire 70,000-kilometer railway network, one of the world's largest. However, hydrogen technology addresses operational gaps where electrification infrastructure cannot be feasibly deployed. The introduction of this train aligns with India's broader hydrogen expansion strategy and its commitment to decarbonize the railway sector by 2030.

Several nations have preceded India in hydrogen rail deployment, including Japan, China, the United States, and Germany, which launched the world's first hydrogen-powered fleet in 2022. India's initiative reflects its wider clean-energy agenda, which encompasses renewable energy expansion and nuclear power development alongside emissions reduction targets.