In a major push for clean energy, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced the launch of India’s first hydrogen highways. The initiative, revealed at the World Hydrogen India event, aims to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported crude oil and build a new ecosystem for clean transportation, reports Construction World.
The project will involve large-scale trials of hydrogen-powered trucks along ten key routes, with 37 vehicles taking part. The government has committed 500 crore rupees to support five groups of companies, which include major vehicle makers like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Volvo, and energy firms such as BPCL, IOCL, NTPC, and Reliance. To support these vehicles, nine new hydrogen refuelling stations will be set up along important freight corridors connecting ports, industrial zones, and logistics hubs.
Gadkari stated that the plan is to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen each year by 2030. He said this effort is expected to create 600,000 new jobs and bring in 8 lakh crore rupees in investments. The shift to hydrogen is also projected to cut the country’s yearly spending on fossil fuel imports by 1 lakh crore rupees and significantly reduce carbon emissions in the coming decades.
Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog, emphasized that hydrogen is crucial for cleaning up industries that are difficult to decarbonize. He noted that this move will also help establish India as a frontrunner in the global green energy sector.
