India, Japan Push High-Speed Rail Project; Modi Flags Off First Hydrogen Train

India and Japan are advancing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project, with discussions moving forward on using Japan's next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains by the early 2030s. Construction is progressing rapidly, aiming to start operations in 2027 with an Indian-made train. The Rs 1.08 lakh crore corridor will reduce travel time from over six hours to just over two hours at speeds up to 320 km/h. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana, marking a step towards cleaner rail transport and placing India among nations like Germany, Japan, China, and the United States exploring this technology.