Odisha is gearing up to introduce a Green Hydrogen Mobility Project, aiming to bring hydrogen-powered public buses and establish a green hydrogen ecosystem for urban transportation. A recent high-level review meeting, chaired by Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, focused on assessing the project’s progress and addressing key operational and financial issues. The initiative, a collaboration between Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), NTPC, and GRIDCO, aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and its goal of achieving Net Zero emissions.
The project envisions setting up a Green Hydrogen Production and Refueling Facility at CRUT’s Pokhariput Depot in Bhubaneswar, along with deploying three Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses as a pilot initiative. It aims to produce around 260 kilograms of green hydrogen daily and operate hydrogen fuel cell buses capable of traveling up to 600 kilometers per day under optimal conditions. Apart from offering a clean public transport option, the project is anticipated to reduce nearly 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually and promote environmental sustainability.
With an estimated total capital investment of Rs 53.55 crore, the project has received Rs 19.52 crore in financial assistance under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The remaining costs will be covered through stakeholder contributions and state support mechanisms. Detailed discussions during the meeting focused on route planning, financial viability, operational modalities, risk allocation, and the roles of participating agencies like NTPC, GRIDCO, and CRUT.
NTPC will be responsible for developing and operating the hydrogen infrastructure, GRIDCO will handle power supply and subsidies, while CRUT will oversee bus operations and public transport services. The meeting also addressed concerns raised by CRUT regarding operational expenses, revenue-sharing, and risk allocation, emphasizing the need for a balanced operational and financial framework for the project’s sustainability. Additionally, plans to deploy hydrogen buses on the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Khordha–Puri–Konark corridor were discussed to ensure operational feasibility and showcase the viability of hydrogen-powered public transport in Odisha.
