On July 17, 2026, India officially launched its first hydrogen-powered train in Jind, operating regularly between Jind and Sonipat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the milestone in national green mobility development on social media. The 89-kilometer route connects two major commercial hubs in Haryana, passing through 12 intermediate stations, with a total journey time of approximately two hours. This zero-emission train features ten modern and comfortable carriages, and its entry into service marks the first practical application of the decarbonization plan for India's railway network.

India's railway network is one of the largest and busiest in the world, built to British standards. The launch of this hydrogen train aims to upgrade the railway network while reducing carbon emissions and coal usage. The country plans to extend this technology to dozens of other heritage and tourist routes in the coming years to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and improve air quality in densely populated areas.

The train uses fuel cell technology to generate electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen from the air, with water vapor as the only byproduct, producing no greenhouse gas emissions or the noise of old diesel engines. This technology has been strongly advocated in the West by Nobel laureate physicist Carlo Rubbia and is considered an ideal energy carrier for non-electrified lines. Previously, Germany and Italy have successfully operated similar trains manufactured by Alstom.