India has achieved its first hydrogen-powered train with the launch in Jind, Haryana. It is part of the Indian Railways’ wider vision to make transportation more green and less fossil fuels dependent less transport related.
It will be a symbol of India’s commitment to green energy and sustainable public transport. From the very first day through to the end of the day, hydrogen trains will emit only water vapor during operation, so they are not only better than diesel-powered trains but will be attractive for the country as well.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the government was focused on modernizing railway infrastructure and making technology more accessible throughout the network. The project was an important step toward building a cleaner and more efficient transportation system.
But the moment after the inauguration, videos and photographs circulating on social media changed public attention away from the train itself.
The posts showed workers removing interlocking road tiles that had been placed temporarily near the venue. According to social media users, the tiles had been installed to enable VIP movement and parking arrangements during the inauguration event.
Opposition leaders and social media users criticized the removal of the temporary road infrastructure, saying it was unnecessary expenditure for a one-day affair. A widely shared post went on to say that the incident was a case in point of the "BJP model of vikas," which spread widely online.
Government supporters argued that temporary infrastructure is usually put in place for large public events to ensure safety, traffic management, and logistical convenience for large-scale events.
And they said the main focus should be on the successful launch of India’s first hydrogen-powered train and not on the arrangement of the event.
India launched its first hydrogen train amid a rail modernization drive in Jind, Haryana.
— ηᎥ†Ꭵղ (@nkk_123) July 20, 2026
As soon as the Modi's inauguration was over, the tiles put on the road for parking & VIP movement were removed.
BJP model of vikas on display. pic.twitter.com/IFQNTqIb8D
No official clarification has been given as to why the tiles were removed so soon after the ceremony or whether they were always supposed to be temporary.
Despite the online controversy, the hydrogen train project itself has been widely recognized as an important technological achievement.
In fact, Indian Railways is spending a lot on electrification, station refurbishing, high-speed rail corridors, and alternative fuel technologies this all in the name of modernization.
Hydrogen-powered trains are already being operated in a few countries around the world, especially on routes where electrification is not economically viable. With the introduction of this technology, India joins that list of countries that are working on hydrogen as a sustainable transport fuel.
While the fight over temporary road tiles continues on social media platforms, getting India’s first hydrogen train is one of the most significant steps in the country’s quest to develop a green and modern railway network.
