The picture shows people taking pictures with Namo Green Rail, India's first hydrogen-powered train, ahead of its flag-off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jind, Haryana, India, on July 17, 2026. REUTERS/Bhawika Chhabra.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the country's first hydrogen-powered train on Friday, making it ​one of a handful of nations to use ‌the zero-emission, clean fuel technology. India joins a select group of countries with such ​trains. They produce only heat and water ​vapour as by-products, a cleaner alternative to ⁠traditional diesel locomotives.

The 10-coach train set, which has ​a capacity of 2,600 passengers, will run twice a ​day between the cities of Jind and Sonipat in the northern state of Haryana, bordering the national capital of Delhi.

After ​flagging the hydrogen train on its 90-km (55-mile) route, ​Modi said India would continue to find ways to improve ‌efficiency, ⁠reduce costs and expand the network.

"The project combines advanced propulsion technology with dedicated hydrogen storage, refuelling and operational infrastructure," a government statement said on Thursday.

The ​train set, designed, ​engineered and ⁠built in India, is expected to operate at a maximum speed of 75 ​km (47 miles) per hour, powered by ​a ⁠1,200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.

India has electrified nearly all of its 70,000-km (43,500-mile) broad-gauge network, one of the ⁠world's ​largest, in an effort to ​achieve net zero carbon emissions in its railways by 2030.