Hydrogen rail signals clean energy leap
Prime Minister Modi flagged off India’s first indigenous hydrogen powered train on the Jind–Sonipat section, marking a historic leap in clean mobility and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. With advanced propulsion, refuelling and storage infrastructure, this places India in a select group of nations embracing nextgen rail technology. More importantly, it shows India’s interest in green hydrogen as a strategic fuel in its clean energy transition and aspiring energy reliance while positioning the country for leadership in clean energy production and export.
In the face of global energy shocks and climate crises, green hydrogen has gained worldwide traction as a fuel to decarbonise industries particularly hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, fertilizer, heavy transport etc, assist in industrial processes and power cleaner transport. For India, furthering the green hydrogen agenda could not have come at a more opportune time. Unlike grey hydrogen, which is produced from fossil fuels, green hydrogen is generated solely from renewable energy sources through electrolysis, resulting in virtually zero CO2 emissions, enabling carbon-free fuel generation for industrial, transportation, power and energy storage applications.
Under Prime Minister Modi, India has consistently prioritized the three interconnected pillars of energy security, economic growth and environmental sustainability as central to its development vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. Addressing climate change demands a shift to carbon neutral economies, with the energy sector at the core of transition. As per its climate commitments, India intends to achieve 60 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources........
