PM flags off India’s first hydrogen-powered train

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train connecting Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, describing it as a landmark step towards clean and sustainable transportation and a successful example of the ‘Make in India’ campaign.

With this, India has joined a select group of countries that have operational hydrogen-powered trains and marks an important step towards the adoption of clean and sustainable mobility in the railway sector. After flagging off the train from Jind, the Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth Rs 14,700 crore.

Modi said, “The hydrogen-powered train is a proud symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and our commitment to cleaner, future-ready transportation.” Today, Indian Railways has taken a major step and this is the world’s most powerful hydrogen train, he said, addressing a public gathering later. The 89-km distance between Jind and Sonepat will be covered in two hours, with the train halting at 12 intermediate stations.

Modi also took a veiled dig at the previous Congress-led UPA Government, saying had the situation due to West Asia conflict arisen before 2014, the work of Indian Railways would have come to a standstill as trains in large parts of the country used to run mainly on diesel.

“At that time, in large parts of our country, our trains used to run on diesel only. Had diesel supplies been disrupted then, how would diesel-powered trains have operated? The country would have faced a massive crisis. But friends, this is not the situation of 2014. It is Modi, who thinks well before and also turns solutions to problems into reality on the ground,” he said.

Referring to the West Asia conflict, Modi said, “You are seeing that for past several months, war has been going on in West Asia, across the entire region of (Strait of) Hormuz, involving Iran, and the Gulf. It is through this sea route through Hormuz that India receives a huge quantity of petrol, diesel, LPG gas, and fertilisers for our farmers. But for the last three to four months, this route has continuously remained a battlefield, surrounded by crisis.”

He said Indian Railways has taken a big step in this 21st-century technology as only three to four countries have the capability of running hydrogen-powered train. This train has 3200 horsepower and it is not only the most powerful, but also the longest one (10 coaches), Modi said. “At other places in the world, hydrogen train has three to four coaches only. But in India, this train has 10 coaches,” he said.

By running a 10-coach hydrogen train, India has established its presence in the world (janda gaad diya hai), he said. “Here in Jind, all such things have been made for it. In the coming time, more infrastructure connected with hydrogen train will be made. New factories will come up, which will meet the need of the hydrogen train network. This will generate new avenues of employment for Haryana youths,” he said. Recalling his association with Jind, he said, “I cannot forget the love I have got.” Jind’s ‘ghee’ and ‘ghevar’ have not changed in years but its ‘tevar’ (attitude) has, he said, adding Jind is becoming a model of BJP’s and NDA’s good governance. Names of Jind, Sonepat and Haryana will come up whenever there is mention of a hydrogen train, I congratulate the entire country, he added.

During his speech, Modi also made a mention of ‘Swachhta Se Swagat’ (welcome through cleanliness) campaign in Jind, which had been going on for past few days ahead of his visit.

Modi, while appreciating the working style of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, said that Haryana’s double-engine Government is working on the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Saini, the Haryana Government is doing excellent work for the youth, farmers, and women of the state.

The path shown by the Haryana Government of providing jobs without ‘kharchi-parchi ’ was not easy, but the BJP Government has made it possible. Haryana is now moving rapidly on the path of development. Agriculture and industry are the two pillars that are strengthening Haryana, Modi added.