Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards advancing sustainable urban mobility and accelerating Odisha’s transition to clean energy, the state government held a high-level review meeting on the proposed Green Hydrogen Mobility Project on Wednesday.
The meeting was held under the chairpersonship of Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department.
Officials said the project, being jointly pursued by CRUT, NTPC and GRIDCO, seeks to introduce hydrogen-powered public transportation in Odisha and establish the state’s first green hydrogen ecosystem for urban mobility. The initiative aligns with the government of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and supports the country’s commitment towards achieving Net Zero emissions while promoting indigenous clean fuel technologies.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the progress made since the signing of the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding among NTPC, GRIDCO and CRUT. The proposed project envisages the establishment of a Green Hydrogen Production and Refuelling Facility at CRUT’s Pokhariput Depot in Bhubaneswar, along with the deployment of three Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses as a pilot initiative.
The project aims to generate approximately 260 kilograms of green hydrogen per day and operate hydrogen fuel cell buses capable of running up to 600 kilometres daily under ideal conditions. Besides providing a clean and efficient public transport alternative, the project is expected to eliminate tailpipe emissions, reduce nearly 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and contribute to environmental sustainability.
The total capital investment for the project is estimated at Rs 53.55 crore, of which Rs 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 is proposed to be met through stakeholder contributions and applicable state support mechanisms.
During the review, detailed discussions we
re held on operational modalities, route planning, financial viability, risk allocation and institutional responsibilities among the participating agencies. Officials examined the scope and obligations under the tripartite MoU, under which NTPC is responsible for developing and operating the hydrogen infrastructure, GRIDCO will facilitate power supply and applicable subsidies, while CRUT will manage bus operations and public transport services.
A comprehensive assessment of the project’s financial and operational implications was also undertaken. Concerns raised by CRUT regarding operational expenditure, assured kilometre commitments, revenue-sharing mechanisms and risk allocation under the proposed term sheet were deliberated extensively. The meeting noted that while the project represents a pioneering technological intervention, its long-term sustainability would require a balanced framework that adequately safeguards public resources and operational interests.
The proposed routes and service patterns were reviewed in light of CRUT’s mandate of operating within the Capital Region. It was suggested that the initial deployment be focused on the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Khurda–Puri–Konark corridor so as to ensure operational feasibility while demonstrating the viability of hydrogen-powered public transportation in Odisha.
The meeting also reviewed requirements relating to land allotment, regulatory approvals, viability gap funding and institutional coordination. Various options for facilitating project implementation while ensuring financial prudence and operational sustainability were discussed.
ACS Padhee emphasised that the project has the potential to position Odisha among the leading states pioneering next-generation clean mobility solutions. She underlined the importance of creating a robust and scalable hydrogen ecosystem that can serve as a model for sustainable public transportation across the country.
She directed all stakeholder agencies to work in close coordination and expeditiously resolve pending technical, financial and regulatory issues. She further stressed the need for a collaborative approach to ensure timely implementation of the project while maintaining transparency, accountability and long-term operational viability.
The meeting also deliberated on the establishment of an appropriate monitoring and coordination mechanism to oversee project execution and facilitate inter-agency cooperation during the implementation phase.
Md Siddique Alam, Managing Director, CRUT, senior officials from NTPC, GRIDCO, IPICOL and officers of the Housing & Urban Development Department participated in the meeting.