The 10-coach train runs on an 89-kilometer route between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, powered by a 1,200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell system - which officials described as the world’s most powerful for a train. Hydrogen trains generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water and steam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a significant step toward self-reliant India and sustainable development. The railway ministry said the train was "developed entirely in India", though senior officials noted key components like the fuel cells were imported. The ministry also inaugurated the country's largest railway hydrogen storage facility in Jind, with a 3,000-kilogram capacity. The pilot project cost around $12 million -significantly more than a comparable conventional service - though costs are expected to fall as the technology matures. With this launch, India joins Germany, Japan, China, and the United States in testing hydrogen-powered trains. India's railways have undergone major transformation since the first steam train ran in 1853 from Mumbai. New Delhi has invested billions to upgrade infrastructure, improve safety, and expand capacity. The network carried 7.41 billion passengers and 1.67 billion tons of freight last year. India has also introduced domestically designed Vande Bharat trains reaching 180 kph, and is building its first high-speed rail line using Japanese Shinkansen technology, expected to begin service in 2027. (Bssnews)