Bhubaneswar, June 3 (IANS) 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

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