Odisha signs tripartite agreement to operate hydrogen-powered buses

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards launching a green hydrogen mobility project in Odisha, a tripartite agreement was signed between three state-owned agencies, an official announced on Tuesday.

The agreement was finalized on Monday in the presence of Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) Managing Director Tirumala Nayak, Grid Corporation of Odisha Limited (GRIDCO) Managing Director Trilochan Panda and NTPC CGM MR Panda.

The event was attended by Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singhdev and Housing and Urban Development Minister KC Mohapatra, the official confirmed.

Over a five-year period, the agreement describes the roles and responsibilities of the organizations involved. CRUT will maintain hydrogen-powered buses, NTPC will oversee hydrogen production, and GRIDCO will ensure supply of renewable energy, the official said.

Usha Padhi, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, emphasizing the potential of the project, said, ‘This hydrogen powered initiative is an important step towards addressing climate change in the state. She said the project is in line with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, under which the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has provided guidelines for implementing pilot projects in the transport sector.

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARIA) has invested Rs 19.5 crore in this pilot project. After successful implementation, the state plans to phase out diesel buses in favor of hydrogen-powered buses, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and enhance public transport, an official note detailed.

Initially, three hydrogen-powered buses will be deployed by NTPC. These buses are designed to replace their diesel counterparts and provide a sustainable alternative. Each bus with a capacity of 42 seats can travel up to 600 km on a full tank of 58 kg of hydrogen, giving a mileage of 12 km per kg of fuel.

To support the initiative, NTPC will set up a hydrogen production facility at the CRUT depot in Gadakan, Bhubaneswar. The facility will utilize the existing Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) infrastructure. Also, the Energy Department has requested the General Administration and Public Grievances Department to provide two acres of land for this purpose. Gridco will supply 2 MW of electricity from a nearby substation to complete the facility.

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