Bhubaneswar, 03 June (H.S.) : Odisha has taken a significant step towards sustainable urban mobility and clean energy transition with the advancement of its ambitious Green Hydrogen Mobility Project. A high-level review meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, was held in Bhubaneswar to assess the progress of the state's first green hydrogen-powered public transport ecosystem.

The project, being jointly implemented by Capital Region Urban Transport, NTPC Limited and GRIDCO, aims to introduce hydrogen-powered public transportation in Odisha while establishing a robust green hydrogen ecosystem for urban mobility. The initiative aligns with the Government of India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and supports the country's long-term commitment to achieving net-zero emissions through indigenous clean energy technologies.

Officials reviewed developments following the signing of the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding among NTPC, GRIDCO and CRUT. Under the proposed project, a Green Hydrogen Production and Refuelling Facility will be established at CRUT's Pokhariput Depot in Bhubaneswar. The project also includes the deployment of three Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses as a pilot initiative.

The facility is expected to produce around 260 kilograms of green hydrogen per day, enabling the hydrogen fuel cell buses to operate up to 600 kilometres daily under optimal conditions. The project is projected to significantly reduce environmental pollution by eliminating tailpipe emissions and cutting nearly 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The total capital investment for the project has been estimated at ₹53.55 crore. Of this, ₹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 will be met through stakeholder contributions and applicable state support mechanisms.

During the review meeting, detailed discussions were held on operational frameworks, route planning, financial viability, risk allocation and institutional responsibilities. As per the proposed arrangement, NTPC will develop and operate the hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure, GRIDCO will facilitate power supply and subsidy support, while CRUT will oversee bus operations and public transport services.

Officials also conducted a comprehensive assessment of the project's financial and operational implications. Concerns raised by CRUT regarding operational expenditure, assured kilometre commitments, revenue-sharing mechanisms and risk allocation were examined extensively. The meeting observed that while the initiative represents a pioneering technological intervention, its long-term sustainability would depend on a balanced framework that safeguards public resources and operational interests.

The proposed deployment routes were reviewed in line with CRUT's operational mandate within the Capital Region. The meeting suggested that the pilot operations initially focus on the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Khordha–Puri–Konark corridor to ensure operational feasibility and effectively demonstrate the viability of hydrogen-powered public transport in Odisha.

Discussions also covered land allotment requirements, regulatory approvals, viability gap funding and inter-agency coordination mechanisms necessary for successful implementation of the project.

Addressing the meeting, ACS Usha Padhee said the Green Hydrogen Mobility Project has the potential to position Odisha among the leading states pioneering next-generation clean mobility solutions. She emphasized the need to build a scalable and sustainable hydrogen ecosystem that could serve as a model for public transportation across the country.

She directed all stakeholder agencies to work in close coordination and expedite the resolution of pending technical, financial and regulatory issues. Stressing transparency, accountability and long-term operational viability, she called for a collaborative approach to ensure timely implementation of the project.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of a dedicated monitoring and coordination mechanism to oversee project execution and facilitate effective cooperation among participating agencies.

Among those present were Md Siddique Alam, senior officials from NTPC, GRIDCO, IPICOL, and officers of the Housing and Urban Development Department. The review meeting was held at Kharabela Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda