Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonipat and inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth around ₹14,700 crore in Haryana, marking a major push for green mobility, highway infrastructure, healthcare and regional connectivity.
The Prime Minister launched the projects at Eklavya Stadium in Jind in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
India Enters the Hydrogen Rail Era
PM Modi flagged off the country’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered train, making India one of a select group of nations operating hydrogen-powered rail systems.
The 10-coach train, running on the Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway, will cover the 90-km route in about two hours and represents a significant milestone in India’s transition towards clean and sustainable railway transportation.
Designed, engineered and integrated entirely in India using indigenous technology, the train generates its own electricity onboard through hydrogen fuel cell technology, producing only water vapour as a by-product and resulting in zero carbon emissions during operation.
Powered by a 3,200 HP propulsion system, it is among the most powerful hydrogen-powered trainsets currently in operation and one of the longest hydrogen-powered passenger trains developed globally.
Unlike diesel trains, the hydrogen-powered train eliminates tailpipe emissions, reduces dependence on fossil fuels and imported diesel, and operates with significantly lower noise levels. It also does not require continuous overhead electrification, as electricity is generated onboard using hydrogen fuel cells, making it an efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport. The use of green hydrogen further supports India’s transition towards sustainable mobility by reducing reliance on electricity generated from fossil fuel-based thermal power plants.
The launch marks another milestone in the evolution of Indian Railways’ propulsion systems – from coal and steam to electrification and now hydrogen-powered mobility. The government noted that rapid railway electrification over the past 12 years has significantly reduced dependence on imported diesel, paving the way for the next phase of clean transportation.
National Highway Projects Worth Over ₹12,470 Crore
The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth more than ₹12,470 crore in Haryana.
Among the major projects inaugurated was the 157.92-km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (Packages 1-5), developed at a cost of around ₹9,680 crore.
Part of the 667-km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, the fully access-controlled four-lane Greenfield corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from around 14 hours to nearly six hours, while cutting the Delhi-Amritsar journey from about eight hours to four hours. The project is also expected to ease congestion on NH-44 (GT Road), boost pilgrim and tourist traffic to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, and stimulate industrial and logistics development along the corridor.
PM Modi also dedicated the 33.81-km Ambala-Kala Amb Highway on NH-7 and NH-344, which is expected to strengthen connectivity between the Ambala urban agglomeration and the Kala Amb industrial belt, improve road links between Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, facilitate tourism to hill destinations and reduce logistics costs for industries.
Another key project inaugurated was the 40.60-km Jind-Gohana Greenfield Highway on NH-352A, which will reduce travel time between Jind and Gohana from around two hours to just 40 minutes. The highway will also improve connectivity to Rohtak, Panipat and the Delhi-NCR region while benefiting commuters, freight movement and the agriculturally important Jind-Gohana belt.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the 24.27-km Hansi-Barwala Brownfield Highway Project, which will upgrade the existing road into a two/four-lane highway with paved shoulders.
Railway, Healthcare and Cultural Projects
PM Modi dedicated the Elevated Railway Track at Kurukshetra, a major urban infrastructure project aimed at eliminating long-standing traffic congestion at railway crossings in the city. The project is expected to improve road safety, facilitate smoother vehicular movement and enhance the operational efficiency of both rail and road transport.
He also dedicated two major healthcare institutions to the nation – Pandit Neki Ram Sharma Government Medical College in Bhiwani and Maharishi Chyawan Medical College and Rao Tula Ram Hospital at Koriawas in Narnaul.
The institutions are expected to expand access to quality medical education, increase the number of MBBS seats, improve the availability of specialist healthcare professionals and strengthen Haryana’s healthcare infrastructure by providing better medical services closer to people’s homes.
Further enriching the state’s cultural infrastructure, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Sikh Museum at Kurukshetra. The museum will showcase the history of Sikhism, the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, their courage, sacrifices and the invaluable contribution of the Sikh community to India’s civilisation and culture.
(With agency inputs)
