Union Railways Minister Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw described the launch of India’s first hydrogen train in Jind as a historic milestone in the nation’s railway history, saying the initiative symbolises India’s growing strength in railway innovation, self-reliance, and clean energy. He said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, Indian Railways is making rapid progress towards becoming a modern, safe, and environment-friendly transportation system.
Addressing a public gathering in Jind on Friday, Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw said the day marked a moment of immense pride for India as the country had achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of hydrogen-based rail technology. He said the Government of India has resolved to develop modern and cutting-edge technologies, under which hydrogen is being developed as a clean fuel for railway operations.
The Railways Minister said that India has now joined the ranks of a select group of countries that have developed the complete technological ecosystem required for hydrogen-powered trains. He informed that the hydrogen production plant established in Jind is a major achievement in this direction.
The plant produces hydrogen through the electrolysis of water, generating clean energy without causing pollution or harmful emissions. He said this technology will play an important role in environmental conservation and in strengthening green transportation.
Sh. Vaishnaw said that Indian Railways has undergone unprecedented transformation over the past decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi. The introduction of modern trains such as the Vande Bharat Express and Amrit Bharat Express, the large-scale redevelopment of railway stations, the modernization of railway tracks, and now the induction of advanced technologies such as hydrogen trains clearly reflect this transformation.
He added that the Government’s objective is to develop Indian Railways into a world-class, modern, and technology-driven transportation system. Highlighting the growth of the railway sector in Haryana, the Railways Minister said that the state has witnessed record investment in railway infrastructure during the tenure of the present Government.
He stated that during the previous Congress Government, Haryana received around ₹315 crore for railway projects, whereas the current Government has increased the allocation to nearly ₹3,500 crore—an almost eleven-fold increase. He further said that railway infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹18,000 crore are currently underway in Haryana.
In addition, under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 34 railway stations across the state are being redeveloped with modern passenger amenities, of which work on five stations has already been completed. Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the hydrogen train initiative is not merely the launch of a new train but a major step towards clean energy, green development, and self-reliant technological capability.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would give Indian Railways a new global identity in the years to come.