Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the launch of pilot hydrogen mobility projects on 10 transport corridors in India to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and promote cleaner public transport. The Ministry is collaborating with the automobile industry to drive the adoption of alternative fuels and advanced transport technologies. These pilot corridors span locations like Greater Noida-Delhi-Agra, Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri, and Pune-Mumbai via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Hydrogen refuelling stations are set to be established at key points along these corridors, including Greater Noida, Bhubaneswar, and Kochi. Gadkari emphasized the importance of clean transport, citing that the sector contributes significantly to the country’s air pollution. He highlighted the need to shift towards pollution-free, cost-effective, and indigenous technologies to curb the annual import of fossil fuels amounting to Rs 22 lakh crore.
Gadkari stressed the urgency for public policy to prioritize import substitutes, cost-effectiveness, and pollution-free solutions to address the pressing issues of fuel imports and pollution. He urged transport operators to facilitate this transition towards cleaner fuels and enhanced passenger services. The Minister emphasized the integration of cleaner fuels with improved passenger amenities for a more efficient and comfortable public transport system.
The ‘Prawas 5.0’ event, organized by the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) in Gandhinagar, witnessed the presence of various State Ministers, BOCI President Prasanna Patwardhan, and industry representatives, underscoring the collaborative efforts towards sustainable transport solutions.
