Indian Railways Would Have Been Paralysed Before 2014 During Gulf Conflict, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Indian Railways would have been paralysed if the current Gulf conflict had occurred before 2014, as a large portion of the railway network relied heavily on diesel at the time.

Addressing a gathering in Haryana’s Jind after flagging off India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen-powered train, the Prime Minister said the country had significantly strengthened its transport infrastructure and reduced its dependence on conventional fossil fuels over the past decade.

Referring to the ongoing tensions in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz, PM Modi said the situation directly affects India’s energy imports. He claimed that before 2014, Indian Railways depended extensively on diesel, and any major disruption in fuel supplies would have severely affected railway operations across the country.

Prime Minister Modi said the government’s focus on electrification, renewable energy and alternative fuels had made the railway network more resilient to global uncertainties.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while inaugurating NaMo Green Rail, the country’s first hydrogen-powered train, which will initially operate between Jind and Sonipat.

India developed the 10-coach hydrogen-powered train under the Make in India initiative, making it the world’s longest and most powerful hydrogen-powered train.

With its launch, India joins a select group of nations operating hydrogen-powered rail services, advancing railway modernisation and clean transport.

PM Modi hailed the achievement as a symbol of India’s technological progress and praised engineers, scientists and railway personnel for making it possible.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said testing would continue beyond Sonipat before extending the hydrogen train service to Delhi.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹14,700 crore to boost connectivity, healthcare and cultural infrastructure across Haryana.

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