India joins a handful of countries that have successfully deployed the zero-emission technology in their rail networks.<\/p>\n
By Reuters and The Associated Press<\/p>\n
Published On 17 Jul 202617 Jul 2026<\/p>\n
India has launched its first domestically built, hydrogen-powered train, as it pushes its efforts to expand clean energy use.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the locomotive ahead of its first trip on Friday, hailing the event as a significant day for India\u2019s drive to become self-reliant and sustainable. The introduction of the train sees India join just a handful of countries that have successfully deployed the zero-emission technology in their rail networks.<\/p>\n
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Dubbed the \u201cNaMo Green Rail\u201d, including an abbreviation of the PM\u2019s first and last names, the train will make two return trips each day along a 90km route linking the cities of Jind and Sonipat, in the state of Haryana. The 10-coach train can seat about 2,600 passengers and can travel at speeds of up to 75km\/h.<\/p>\n
Designed, engineered and built in India, the NaMo produces only heat and water vapour when running, making it an attractive alternative to diesel.<\/p>\n
While India has already electrified almost all of its 70,000km railway network, one of the largest in the world, hydrogen trains can plug the gap where electrification is not possible.<\/p>\n
Other countries operating hydrogen-powered trains include Japan, China, the United States and Germany, which launched the world\u2019s first hydrogen-powered fleet<\/a> in 2022.<\/p>\n The rollout is part of India\u2019s wider push to expand use of hydrogen and cut its carbon emissions, with the government aiming to make the country\u2019s railways net-zero by 2030.<\/p>\n Prime Minister Modi has long pushed other clean-energy efforts too, from expanding renewables<\/a> to advancing India\u2019s nuclear energy programme<\/a>.<\/p>\n