India’s First Hydrogen Train Takes Center Stage as PM Modi Unveils 25,000+ Crore Rupees Infrastructure Blitz Across Northern States

JIND / CHANDIGARH: In a major push toward clean mobility, high-speed regional transit, and modern healthcare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a transformative, multi-state infrastructure drive valued at over 25,000 crore rupees across Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab.

The crown jewel of this day-long tour was the historic flagging-off of India’s first-ever hydrogen-powered fuel cell passenger train at Jind, marking a pivotal leap in the country’s green transport ambitions.

Breakthrough on Rails: Green Hydrogen Mobility

Designed and integrated indigenously, the 10-coach hydrogen trainset stands among the world’s longest and most powerful zero-emission passenger trains.

• Powerhouse Performance: Equipped with a 3,200 horsepower propulsion system, the train generates its own electricity onboard via a chemical reaction between hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen.
• Zero Emissions: Replacing fossil fuels, the train produces no carbon output releasing only clean water vapor into the atmosphere.

Expressway Expansion: Slashing Travel Times Across North India

At the Eklavya Stadium in Jind, the Prime Minister dedicated and lay foundation stones for national highway projects worth 12,470 crore rupees. Key road infrastructure projects include:

• Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway: A 157.92-kilometer, four-lane access-controlled section built at a cost of 9,680 crore rupees. This corridor will dramatically compress travel time between Delhi and Katra from 14 hours down to just 6 hours.
• Jind–Gohana Greenfield Highway (NH-352A): Designed to streamline regional transit, reducing travel time between Jind and Gohana from 2 hours to 40 minutes.
• IT City to Kurali Greenfield Highway: A six-lane highway in Punjab designed to smooth inter-state connectivity across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.

“The protection of liberty and the drive toward development both rely on seamless accessibility. Connecting key religious, economic, and industrial hubs across northern India will redefine regional mobility for decades to come.”

Healthcare & Cultural Landmarks

The afternoon leg of the tour in Chandigarh was focused on tertiary healthcare and regional heritage, commissioning infrastructure worth 4,700 crore rupees:

1. Medical Upgrades at PGIMER Chandigarh & Beyond

• Advanced Mother and Child Centre: A 300-bed tertiary facility specialized in high-risk pregnancies and intensive newborn care.
• Advanced Neurosciences Centre: An integrated hub bringing together neurology, neurosurgery, and neuro-critical care diagnostics under one roof.
• PM-ABHIM Critical Care Block: A 150-bed emergency response and disaster backup unit.
• New Medical Colleges: State-of-the-art medical colleges dedicated to the nation at Bhiwani and Narnaul.

2. Cultural Heritage

• Sikh Museum in Kurukshetra: Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone for a modern Sikh museum honoring the profound legacy and teachings of the Sikh Gurus.