BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government’s plan to introduce hydrogen-powered public transport in Odisha has picked up pace with the Housing and Urban Development department taking note of the progress.
The project, jointly implemented by CRUT, NTPC and GRIDCO, seeks to create the state’s first green hydrogen ecosystem for urban mobility. A tripartite memorandum of understanding was signed in December 2024 for the implementation of the project.
The progress of the project was reviewed by additional chief secretary, HUD department Usha Padhee at a high-level meeting here on Wednesday.
The proposed project envisages setting up a green hydrogen production and fuel plant at CRUT’s Pokhariput depot in Bhubaneswar along with deployment of three hydrogen cell electric buses as a pilot initiative.
The project aims to generate approximately 260 kg of green hydrogen per day and use hydrogen fuel cell buses capable of traveling up to 600 km per day. In addition to providing a clean and efficient public transport alternative, the project is expected to eliminate gas emissions, reduce around 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and contribute to environmental sustainability.
The meeting reviewed the scope and obligations under the tripartite MoU under which NTPC is responsible for the development and operation of hydrogen infrastructure. GRIDCO will facilitate power supply and applicable subsidies, while CRUT will manage bus operations and public transport services.
