Dikhyaa Mohanty 
On Monday, NTPC Limited, GRIDCO Limited, and Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) inked a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the deployment of Green Energy Technologies in Odisha, marking a significant advancement in environmentally friendly transportation options in the state. An official news release states that the goal of this cooperative initiative is to introduce cutting-edge green energy solutions throughout the state, with a particular emphasis on transforming the public transportation system.
The MoU, effective for the next five years, outlines the roles and responsibilities of the three parties involved. NTPC will focus on hydrogen production, GRIDCO will ensure renewable energy supply, and CRUT will manage the operations of the hydrogen-powered buses. The “Scheme Guidelines for implementation of Pilot Projects for use of Green Hydrogen in the Transport Sector”, have been issued by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has invested Rs. 19.5 crores in the pilot project, which will help make the switch from fossil fuel-powered buses to environmentally friendly hydrogen-powered buses easier. Leading the transition to a zero-emission policy is CRUT, which is part of the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) of the Government of Odisha, in collaboration with GRIDCO (the Energy Department, Government of Odisha). This initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions, enhance operational efficiency, and improve the quality of bus services in the state.
