India’s first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind–Sonipat route is set to be launched shortly, with the Northern Railway project entering its final stage of preparation, the Haryana government said on Tuesday. The 89-km stretch will mark a major milestone in India’s push towards clean and sustainable transport.

To power the hydrogen locomotive, a dedicated green hydrogen plant has been established in Jind. The facility, described as India’s largest hydrogen plant built specifically for a rail project, has a storage capacity of 3,000 kg and is currently in its final commissioning phase. As the plant is designed to operate round the clock, ensuring uninterrupted and high-quality power supply has been identified as a critical requirement.

State chief secretary Anurag Rastogi reviewed the project’s power readiness with officials from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and directed that the system be subjected to regular audits. The state has assured a stable 11 kV power supply to support continuous hydrogen production, along with robust backup arrangements and rapid-response mechanisms to prevent technical disruptions during commissioning and operations.

According to officials, the stable power supply will ensure uninterrupted fuel availability for the train during its final trials and subsequent regular services. DHBVN has also put additional monitoring and maintenance arrangements in place, while Northern Railway has expressed satisfaction with the quality of power being provided to the hydrogen plant.

By replacing diesel with hydrogen fuel cells, the train will emit only water vapour and heat, placing India alongside countries such as Germany and China in adopting zero-emission rail technology. The project is seen as a significant step towards decarbonising rail transport and advancing India’s broader clean energy and sustainability goals.