THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JUNE 3, 2026
Odisha has taken a decisive step
towards building a future-ready green transportation ecosystem, with the state
government advancing an ambitious Green Hydrogen Mobility Project that promises
to transform urban public transport through clean energy innovation.
The project, being jointly implemented
by Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), NTPC and GRIDCO, aims to introduce
hydrogen-powered public buses in Bhubaneswar while establishing Odisha’s first
integrated green hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure. The
initiative aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and the
country’s broader commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions through indigenous
clean-energy technologies.
A high-level review meeting chaired by
Housing and Urban Development Department Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee
assessed the project’s progress and examined critical operational, financial
and regulatory aspects to facilitate its timely implementation.
As part of the pilot phase, a Green
Hydrogen Production and Refuelling Facility will be set up at CRUT’s Pokhariput
Depot in Bhubaneswar. The project will also deploy three Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Electric Buses, marking Odisha’s entry into next-generation zero-emission
public transport.
Officials said the facility is
expected to produce nearly 260 kilograms of green hydrogen daily, enabling
hydrogen fuel cell buses to operate for up to 600 kilometres a day under
optimal conditions. The initiative is projected to significantly reduce the carbon
footprint of urban transport by eliminating tailpipe emissions and cutting
nearly 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
With an estimated investment of ₹53.55 crore, the project has already secured ₹19.52 crore
in financial assistance under the National Green Hydrogen Mission through
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The remaining funding is proposed to
be mobilised through stakeholder participation and state support mechanisms.
During the review, participating
agencies deliberated on route planning, operational structures, financial
sustainability, risk-sharing arrangements and institutional responsibilities.
Under the proposed framework, NTPC will develop and operate the hydrogen
production and refuelling infrastructure, GRIDCO will facilitate power supply
and related incentives, while CRUT will manage bus operations and passenger
services.
Officials noted that the project has
the potential to position Odisha among the frontrunners in green mobility
adoption in India. Beyond introducing a cleaner public transport alternative,
the initiative is expected to create a robust hydrogen ecosystem, strengthen
energy security and showcase the commercial viability of hydrogen-powered urban
mobility solutions.
The project is widely viewed as a
landmark investment in sustainable infrastructure that could pave the way for
large-scale adoption of hydrogen-based transportation across the state in the
coming years.
