Odisha govt clears Green Hydrogen mobility project
Bhubaneswar, June 3
Odisha is set to take a major step towards clean and sustainable urban transportation with the proposed Green Hydrogen Mobility Project, which aims to introduce hydrogen-powered public buses and establish the state's first green hydrogen ecosystem for urban mobility.
A high-level review meeting on the ambitious project was held on Wednesday under the chairpersonship of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, to assess progress and address key operational, financial, and regulatory issues related to its implementation. According to an official statement, the project is being jointly pursued by Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), NTPC, and GRIDCO.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the progress made since the signing of the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding among NTPC, GRIDCO, and CRUT. The initiative aligns with the Government of India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and supports the country's commitment towards achieving Net Zero emissions while promoting indigenous clean fuel technologies.
The proposed project envisages the establishment of a Green Hydrogen Production and Refuelling Facility at CRUT's Pokhariput Depot in Bhubaneswar, along with the deployment of three Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses as a pilot initiative.
Official sources revealed that this project aims to generate approximately 260 kilograms of green hydrogen per day and to operate hydrogen fuel cell buses capable of running up to 600 kilometres per day under ideal conditions.
Besides providing a clean and efficient public transport alternative, the project is expected to eliminate tailpipe emissions, reduce nearly 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
The total capital investment for the project is estimated at Rs 53.55 crore, of which Rs 19.52 crore has been sanctioned as financial assistance under the National Green Hydrogen Mission through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The remaining project cost is proposed to be met through stakeholder contributions and applicable state support mechanisms. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on route planning, operational modalities, financial viability, risk allocation, and institutional responsibilities of the participating agencies.
Under the proposed framework, NTPC will develop and operate the hydrogen infrastructure, GRIDCO will facilitate power supply and subsidies, while CRUT will oversee bus operations and public transport services.
The meeting also examined concerns raised by CRUT regarding operational expenditure, assured kilometre commitments, revenue-sharing mechanisms, and risk allocation. Officials noted that while the project represents a pioneering technological intervention, its long-term sustainability would depend on a balanced operational and financial framework.
The proposed deployment of the hydrogen buses on the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Khordha-Puri-Konark corridor was also discussed to ensure operational feasibility and demonstrate the viability of hydrogen-powered public transport in Odisha.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but Rs 53.55 crore for just three buses and a refuelling station? That's nearly Rs 18 crore per bus! While green tech is expensive, we need to ensure this pilot leads to scalable solutions. Also, what about the maintenance costs? Let's hope the state gets a proper cost-benefit analysis done.
This is exactly what India needs—moving beyond lip service on climate change. Green hydrogen from NTPC with GRIDCO and CRUT collaboration is a smart multi-stakeholder approach. I just hope the electricity used to produce the hydrogen is also from renewable sources, otherwise the whole 'green' label becomes questionable.
Interesting to see India embracing hydrogen mobility, but 600 km range per day under ideal conditions—what about the real-world scenario with our traffic and heat? Also, what's the backup plan if the refuelling station fails? Let's not forget that Odisha also faces cyclone risks, so infrastructure resilience is key.
I'm all for green tech, but as a daily bus commuter in Bhubaneswar, I just want the existing buses to be clean and punctual first. Hope this pilot doesn't divert funds from immediate needs like better frequency, AC buses, and women's safety. Nevertheless, exciting times ahead for Odisha's public transport! 🌿
India's National Green Hydrogen Mission in action! This pilot could be a game-changer for urban transport across the country. But we need to see how they handle operational expenditure risks—if CRUT already has concerns, those need serious attention. Kudos to Usha Padhee
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