17 July : Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first hydrogen fuel cell train from Jind, Haryana, on Friday, marking a major milestone in the country’s clean mobility journey.
Alongside the launch, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth more than ₹14,700 crore, spanning highways, healthcare, rail infrastructure and cultural heritage.
The 10-coach hydrogen-powered train will operate between Jind and Sonipat, covering the 90-kilometre route in around two hours.
Equipped with a 3,200 HP propulsion system, one of the most powerful hydrogen-powered trainsets in operation, the train generates its own electricity using hydrogen and emits only water vapour, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel trains.
Developed using indigenous technology, from design to assembly, the project places India among a select group of countries operating hydrogen-powered railways.
The launch also reflects Indian Railways’ transition towards cleaner and more sustainable transport after years of rapid electrification.
During the programme, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation the 157.92-km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (Packages 1-5), built at a cost of around ₹9,680 crore.
The expressway will reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from about 14 hours to nearly six hours, while halving the journey between Delhi and Amritsar.
The projects will ease congestion on NH-44, improve connectivity to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and strengthen industrial and logistics growth.
PM Modi also inaugurated the Ambala-Kala Amb and Jind-Gohana highways, laid the foundation for the Hansi-Barwala Highway, and dedicated the Kurukshetra Elevated Railway Track to improve connectivity and road safety. He also inaugurated two medical colleges and Rao Tula Ram Hospital to strengthen healthcare in Haryana, besides laying the foundation stone for a Sikh Museum in Kurukshetra to preserve and showcase Sikh history and heritage.
