NEW DELHI — In a major step toward decarbonizing public transit, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has officially launched a hydrogen-powered shuttle bus service around the iconic Central Vista area.
The eco-friendly transit project has been deployed in collaborative partnership with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), backed by technical and fuel supply support from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
Key Highlights of the Green Fleet Launch:
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The Route: Shuttling passengers within the high-profile Central Vista zone, originating from the Central Secretariat Metro Station.
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The Fleet: Two state-of-the-art hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses have initiated active passenger operations.
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The Handover: Ceremonial transit keys were presented to Dr. Amit Kumar Jain, Director (Operations & Services), DMRC, by Arvind Kumar, Director (Refineries), IOCL.
Setting a Benchmark for Sustainable Urban Transit
The rollout represents a strategic pivot toward clean energy in the national capital, aiming to significantly reduce city carbon footprints. Unlike conventional battery-electric buses, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer key operational advantages for dense city grids:
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Zero Emissions: The buses emit only pure water vapor, eliminating tailpipe pollutants entirely.
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High Efficiency: They provide a significantly longer operational range than traditional battery-run electric vehicles (EVs).
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Rapid Turnaround: The technology enables fast refueling times, keeping buses on the road longer and minimizing fleet downtime.
This pilot project will serve as a crucial testbed, gathering real-world operational data to refine and scale hydrogen-powered public transport across other metro cities in India.
