Hailing the launch of India’s first indigenous hydrogen-powered train from Jind in Haryana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stressed that the 21st century will be driven by hydrogen mobility, marking the official start of the newly inaugurated 90-kilometer route between Jind and Sonipat.
The Prime Minister was speaking after laying the foundation stone and dedicating various development projects worth around Rs 14,700 crore in Jind, Haryana, to the nation.
Before addressing the gathering, PM Modi flagged off India’s first indigenous hydrogen-powered train between Jind and Sonipat at Jind railway station, marking an important step toward adopting clean and sustainable mobility in the railway sector.
He remarked, “Today, Jind and Haryana have permanently etched their names in the pages of history. From here today, the nation has been gifted its first Hydrogen Train.”
He stated that besides being completely emission-free, India’s hydrogen train stands as a remarkably successful testament to MAKE IN INDIA. “Today, Indian Railways has taken a massive leap in this 21st-century technology, which holds immense potential for future expansion,” the Prime Minister noted.
Putting the nation’s achievement into a global perspective, he stated that hydrogen train technology only came into practical existence worldwide 7-8 years ago.
The Prime Minister highlighted that only a highly exclusive handful of nations currently possess the capability to operate such trains, and even those remain in preliminary stages.
Revealing the technical specifications of the new transport marvel, the Prime Minister described the newly launched train as the most powerful of its kind globally, boasting a formidable 3,200-horsepower capacity and comprising ten coaches.
Contrasting it with international counterparts that typically feature only three to four coaches, PM Modi proudly highlighted the nation’s bold operational dominance on its very first attempt. “India has successfully demonstrated its prowess by running a hydrogen train with ten full coaches straightaway,” he asserted.
Celebrating the indigenous nature of this green mobility milestone, the Prime Minister emphasised that the entirely smoke-free train is a resounding, tangible triumph of the domestic manufacturing initiative.
He credited brilliant domestic engineers for completely designing the advanced system and local manufacturing companies for flawlessly executing its construction. “This is a highly successful and proud example of the Make in India initiative,” noted PM Modi.
Explaining the highly unique operational requirements of this advanced technology, the Prime Minister pointed out that hydrogen trains necessitate completely distinct infrastructure and specialised, segregated support systems.
Anticipating the rapid establishment of new factories and associated facilities to meet these specific network needs in the immediate future, PM Modi projected a massive localised economic ripple effect.
“This advanced train network is absolutely guaranteed to create numerous new employment opportunities for the youth of Haryana,” affirmed PM Modi.
Drawing a visionary parallel to the historic first train journey between Bombay and Thane, he stated that future generations will similarly immortalize this corridor whenever advanced green mobility is discussed. “I congratulate all of you and the entire country for this momentous step related to the deep modernization of Indian Railways,” affirmed PM Modi.
Shifting focus to critical geopolitical challenges, the Prime Minister highlighted the strategic logistical advantages derived from the massive transformations within Indian Railways over the past twelve years.
Pointing to the ongoing volatile conflict in West Asia, he explained how the indispensable supply maritime routes for petroleum, diesel, LPG, and fertilizers have been continuously surrounded by severe disruptions for months.
“Through this vital maritime route, India imports a massive quantity of essential fuels and agricultural inputs,” observed PM Modi.
Hypothesizing the devastating national impact of such a global fuel crisis prior to 2014, the Prime Minister noted that the previous heavy reliance on diesel would have inevitably and completely paralyzed the national railway network.
Revealing that a mere 30 percent of the network was electrified between 1925 and 2014, he celebrated the administrative push that has now electrified nearly 99 percent of the national grid and 100 percent of the state’s tracks.
“Because of complete electrification, our trains continued to run completely uninterrupted despite the severe global oil crisis,” asserted PM Modi.
Detailing the massive infrastructural push, the Prime Minister listed over Rs 14,000 crore worth of new projects spanning railways, highways, and cultural heritage dedicated directly to the state’s welfare.
Highlighting a massive healthcare expansion, he announced the dedication of Pandit Neki Ram Sharma Medical College in Bhiwani and Maharishi Chyavan Medical College along with Rao Tularam Hospital in Narnaul, aimed at creating pristine new avenues for aspiring medical professionals. “These new institutions will make the healthcare services of Haryana even more empowered and highly accessible,” noted PM Modi.
Tracing the technological evolution of the global railway sector, the Prime Minister recalled how the 19th century was fundamentally defined by steam engines while the 20th century was defined by electrical power.