Bhubaneswar: Odisha has accelerated its push toward clean mobility and bioenergy transition by reviewing progress on a green hydrogen-powered public transport project that aims to introduce hydrogen fuel into urban transport operations.
The Housing and Urban Development Department conducted a high-level assessment of the initiative, which is being implemented jointly by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), NTPC and GRIDCO under a tripartite memorandum of understanding signed in December 2024, Construction World reported.
During a meeting in Bhubaneswar, the Additional Chief Secretary reviewed implementation progress and examined responsibilities assigned to participating agencies.
The proposal includes setting up a green hydrogen production and refuelling facility at the CRUT depot in Pokhariput along with the deployment of three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses under a pilot programme.
The facility is expected to produce around 260 kilograms of green hydrogen per day, supporting operation of buses capable of travelling up to 600 kilometres daily. The pilot has been designed to assess operational feasibility, refuelling logistics and the practical application of hydrogen-based transport systems.
Officials expect the initiative to eliminate tailpipe emissions and reduce nearly 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, contributing to Odisha’s environmental sustainability and clean energy objectives.
Under the project structure, NTPC will develop and operate hydrogen infrastructure, GRIDCO will facilitate power supply arrangements and subsidy support, while CRUT will manage bus operations and passenger services.
Initial deployment has been proposed along the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Khordha–Puri–Konark corridor to evaluate route suitability and operating patterns.
The review also covered land allocation, regulatory approvals, viability gap funding and inter-agency coordination needed to support implementation.
The total estimated investment for the project is ₹535.5 million. Of this, ₹195.2 million has been approved as financial assistance under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, while the remaining investment is expected through stakeholder participation and applicable state support.
Officials view the pilot as an early demonstration of how green hydrogen and emerging bioenergy pathways can support the next phase of sustainable public transport development in the state.
