Hydrogen train powers Modi’s Haryana visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to return to Haryana on July 17 to flag off the nation’s first hydrogen-powered train in Jind, a project the BJP has projected as a landmark in India’s transportation journey.

The PM was in Haryana a year ago to inaugurate the state’s first airport at Hisar, which marked a milestone in Haryana’s aviation infrastructure.

Like his previous visit, the Prime Minister’s programme extends beyond the ceremonial launch of a flagship project. Besides flagging off the hydrogen-powered train, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several development projects, turning the event into a major showcase of the Centre’s development agenda in Haryana.

The high-profile visit comes at a politically sensitive time. Haryana is witnessing the fallout of the multi-crore bank fraud that has led to the arrest of several IAS officers and other government employees. At the same time, an agitation continues in Chanot village of Hisar district, which shares its border with Jind.

Even as these developments dominate the political discourse, the BJP government has stepped up preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit. Party leaders have been holding press conferences to project the programme as a historic occasion for Haryana, highlighting the development projects that will either be inaugurated or receive foundation stones.

The BJP organisation has also launched an extensive mobilisation drive. Arrangements have been made to live-screen the Prime Minister’s address at district headquarters across Haryana, with senior party leaders, ministers, MLAs and MPs assigned to attend these gatherings to ensure maximum public participation and amplify the party’s message around the visit.

“Jind, which has witnessed many major agitations and significant political events over the years, is once again set to become part of history on July 17 when the country’s first hydrogen-powered train is flagged off. The project will mark India’s entry into a new era of clean energy-based transportation. The PM’s visit is also highly significant as it will further the vision of a ‘Viksit Haryana’ and a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” a BJP leader said.

Senior BJP leaders maintain that the event reflects the Centre’s commitment to strengthening transport infrastructure in Haryana and across the country through aviation, railways and road connectivity. They point out that PM Modi had already gifted Haryana its first airport in Hisar during his previous visit.

Besides flagging off the hydrogen-powered train, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the medical colleges at Bhiwani and Narnaul, the elevated railway track in Kurukshetra and several road infrastructure projects. He will also lay the foundation stone for the modern Sikh Museum in Kurukshetra and other development projects worth thousands of crores across Haryana.