Business

Hydrogen train may get a Delhi route soon

By Sohail Khan 18 September 2026, 5:14 pm

Benchmarks
Nifty23,346.4075.81

FEATURED FUNDS★★★★★

Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth

5Y Return
22 %

Invest Now

Enter search text:

Business News›Industry›Transportation›Railways›India’s first hydrogen train has room for 2,600 passengers, but only 40-60 are riding it: Two months after launch, here’s why Railways is planning to extend it to Delhi

Read Today's Paper

India’s first hydrogen train has room for 2,600 passengers, but only 40-60 are riding it: Two months after launch, here’s why Railways is planning to extend it to Delhi
Synopsis

Hydrogen Delhi Route: India’s first hydrogen train may be extended to Delhi after recording low passenger numbers on its existing route in Haryana. The technology demonstrator has seen limited ridership on the Jind-Sonipat route. Indian Railways is exploring an extension to Azadpur station in Delhi. Low passenger turnout on the current route means the train currently operates only one daily round trip. Local passengers have also suggested creating a circuit within Haryana to improve its utilisation.

Listen to this article in summarized format

Loading…
×
×

Unlock AI Briefing and Premium Content

New Year Offer 24 Hours Left
Already a member? Sign In

What's Included

Exclusive Stories
Daily ePaper Access
Smart Market Tools
Curated Investment Ideas
Ad-lite Experience
Subscription

India’s first indigenous hydrogen-powered train may soon be extended to Delhi after recording low passenger numbers on its existing 89-km Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana, according to officials cited by PTI.

The hydrogen train, launched on July 17, has been operating successfully as a technology demonstrator. However, despite having a maximum capacity of 2,600 passengers, only around 40 to 60 people reportedly travel on it over the entire Jind-Sonipat journey.

Hydrogen train may run up to Azadpur in Delhi

Indian Railways is considering extending the train’s operation to Azadpur station in Delhi, near the wholesale fruits and vegetables market, officials told PTI.

Why is ridership so low?

The hydrogen-powered train replaced a DEMU service that had earlier operated on the same route. Railway staff said the DEMU service had also recorded similarly low passenger numbers.

“At present, besides the hydrogen-powered train, three other DEMU trains are operational on the route, and none of them has high passenger turnout due to the lack of office commuters or industry workers between the two cities,” a staff member involved in train operations said.

“There are hardly any office-goers or industrial workers on this route. Locals have also been demanding that it should be extended to Delhi for optimum utilisation,” the staff member added.

Hydrogen train’s capacity and fuel range

The hydrogen train is a 10-coach service with a capacity of 2,600 passengers. However, a senior official pointed to operational challenges if it is extended to Delhi.

“It is a 10-coach train that can carry only 2,600 passengers, whereas trains operating from Delhi need more than 18 to 20 coaches to accommodate the large number of commuters due to capacity constraints on the railway tracks,” the official said.

Fuel capacity, however, is not expected to be a constraint. Officials said the train can travel around 250 km to 300 km on a full tank.

At present, the train can be refuelled only at Jind. With its current fuel range, it can cover around 150 km in one direction, while the distance between Jind and Delhi is approximately 130 km.

Locals suggest Panipat-Safidon circuit

While local passengers said extending the hydrogen train to Delhi would be the most useful option, some suggested modifying its existing route if operational limitations make the Delhi extension difficult.

One passenger suggested extending the route from Sonipat to Panipat and then covering Safidon before returning to Jind, creating a circuit within Haryana.

“Currently, it operates from Jind to Sonipat and vice versa. So instead of moving in the UP and DOWN directions on the same route, this train can be extended to Panipat from Sonipat and, after covering Safidon, it can reach Jind, completing a circuit. Since Panipat is an industrial area, it will attract a lot of daily commuters,” the passenger said.

“The train can start from Jind as usual and cover a distance of about 180 km via Sonipat, Panipat and Safidon before terminating at Jind. This will really help locals and improve the train's footfall,” he added.

India’s first indigenous hydrogen train

India’s first indigenous hydrogen-powered train was launched on July 17, marking a step towards the use of next-generation clean and sustainable transportation technology.

Railway officials described it as a pilot project that places India among a small group of countries, including Germany, Japan, China and the United States, exploring hydrogen-powered rail transportation.

“A group of top experts are regularly monitoring its operation between Jind and Sonipat, as well as its trial runs for extension to Delhi. Since it is a new technology and passenger safety is paramount for the Indian Railways, a decision on its extension will be taken after due consideration,” an official said.

Inputs from and agencies

Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The .)

…moreless

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

Read More News on
Hydrogen train to DelhiIndia hydrogen trainIndia first hydrogen trainhydrogen train Jind SonipatIndian Railways hydrogen trainhydrogen train Azadpurhydrogen powered train IndiaJind Sonipat hydrogen trainhydrogen train low ridershipIndian Railways hydrogen train extension

(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The .)

…moreless

Enter search text:

Continue reading with one of these options:
Limited Access
Free
Login to get access to some exclusive stories

& personalised newsletters
Login Now

Unlimited Access
Starting @ Rs120/month
Get access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &

in-depth stock reports
Subscribe Now

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Subscribe to gain powerful insights on business, stock market and industry trends.

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only Offer

Already a Member? Sign In now

Already a Member? Sign In now
Already a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail Offer
Avail Offer

Claim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter

Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year