JIND: India on Friday entered the league of countries operating hydrogen-powered trains as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country’s first such service from Haryana’s Jind railway station.While the launch marks a milestone for Indian Railways’ green mobility push, the choice of the Jind-Sonipat section was driven by operational and infrastructure considerations rather than symbolism.Why Jind-Sonipath was chosenSources told TOI, Jind was selected because the station offers ample land to set up the dedicated hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure required for the project.A hydrogen plant has been established at Jind to meet the train’s fuelling requirements and support its maintenance operations. The station will also serve as the train’s primary maintenance base.Low-traffic route ideal for pilotThe Jind-Sonipat corridor was chosen as the pilot route due to its relatively low rail traffic, allowing Indian Railways to introduce and monitor the new technology with minimal disruption to regular operations.Officials said the section provides a controlled environment to test the performance and reliability of hydrogen-powered rolling stock before expanding operations to busier routes.Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the service, which initially runs between Jind and Sonipat, will eventually be extended to New Delhi.A first for IndiaThe 10-coach hydrogen-powered passenger train is designed, engineered and integrated in India using indigenous technology.Indian Railways said it is the longest hydrogen-powered passenger train of its kind globally, as most hydrogen trains currently operating or under trial in other countries have only two or three coaches.The train is powered by a 3,200-horsepower hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system, making it one of the most powerful hydrogen trainsets in operation. It has a design speed of 110 kmph, although it will operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph on the Jind-Sonipat section, with a capacity to carry around 2,600 passengers.Route and operationsTrain number 74010 will depart Jind daily at 7.40 am and reach Sonipat at 9.40 am, completing the journey in around two hours.On the return journey, train number 74009 will leave Sonipat at 10.40 am and arrive in Jind at 1 pm.The train will stop at Jind City, Pandu Pindara, Lalit Khera, Bhambeva, Ishapur Kheri, Butana, Khandrai, Gohana, Rabhra, Lath, Mohana Haryana and Barwasni.India joins select group of nationsWith the launch, India joins a small group of countries, including Germany, Japan, China and the United States, that are operating or testing hydrogen-powered trains.