The Odisha government’s plan to introduce hydrogen-powered public transport has advanced after a review by the Housing and Urban Development department. The project is being implemented jointly by the Centre for Renewable Urban Transport, NTPC and GRIDCO following a tripartite memorandum of understanding signed in December 2024. Progress was examined at a high-level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee. The review assessed operational and logistical preparations for the pilot initiative.

The proposal envisages the establishment of a green hydrogen production and refuelling facility at the Centre for Renewable Urban Transport’s Pokhariput depot in Bhubaneswar and deployment of three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses as a pilot. The scheme is expected to generate approximately 260 kilograms (kg) of green hydrogen per day and to operate the buses for up to 600 km daily. The infrastructure aims to provide a clean and efficient public transport alternative for urban commuters.

The initiative is projected to eliminate tailpipe emissions and to reduce nearly 900 tonnes (t) of carbon dioxide annually, contributing to broader environmental sustainability goals. Under the tripartite arrangement, NTPC will develop and operate the hydrogen infrastructure, GRIDCO will facilitate power supply and applicable subsidies, and the Centre for Renewable Urban Transport will manage bus operations and services. The meeting reviewed obligations, technical roles and timelines for commissioning.

Planned routes were examined with a focus on the Bhubaneswar?Cuttack?Khordha?Puri?Konark corridor to ensure operational feasibility during initial deployment. Discussions also covered land allotment, regulatory approvals, viability gap funding and institutional coordination. Total capital investment for the project is estimated at Rs 535.5 mn, of which Rs 195.2 mn has been sanctioned as assistance under the National Green Hydrogen Mission through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, with the remainder to be met through stakeholder contributions and state support mechanisms.