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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's inaugural hydrogen-powered train at the Jind railway station in Haryana. This train will operate between Jind and Sonipat, marking India's entry into the exclusive group of nations utilizing hydrogen-powered trains. Designed and manufactured in India, this train represents a significant advancement towards cleaner rail transport. It is among the longest and most powerful hydrogen-powered passenger trains globally, featuring 10 coaches with a seating capacity for approximately 2,600 passengers and a propulsion system delivering 3,200 horsepower. In contrast to most hydrogen trains worldwide, which typically have only two to four coaches and serve mainly regional routes, this train stands out.

Initially, the hydrogen-powered train will run on the 89-kilometer Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana. With this launch, India joins the ranks of countries like Germany, Japan, China, and the United States that are advancing hydrogen rail transport. Unlike traditional diesel locomotives, hydrogen trains generate their own electricity using hydrogen fuel cells.

Following the unveiling of the hydrogen train, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw remarked that this day is historic. He emphasized that due to the country's leadership, a significant technological milestone has been achieved in developing hydrogen technology. India is now among the nations possessing the complete technology to manufacture hydrogen-powered trains.

The core of this system is a 1,200-kilowatt Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), which generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The only byproducts are water vapor and heat, making it one of the cleanest methods of rail propulsion available today. The train carries compressed hydrogen gas in high-pressure cylinders located within its two hydrogen-powered cars. This hydrogen is sent to the PEMFC, which functions like a battery; it does not require recharging as long as hydrogen supply is maintained.

Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen molecules are split into protons and electrons using a catalyst typically made of platinum. Protons pass through a specialized polymer membrane, while electrons are forced to travel through an external electric circuit. This movement of electrons generates electricity that powers the train's traction motors. Additionally, oxygen from the surrounding air enters the fuel cell and combines with the hydrogen protons and electrons. The only byproducts of this electrochemical reaction are water vapor and heat, with no combustion, smoke, or significant carbon emissions at the site of use.