India’s first high-altitude hydrogen fuel cell buses flagged off by NTPC, SIDCO
Leh: In a historic step toward green mobility, the Union Territory of Ladakh witnessed the official launch of India’s first-ever hydrogen fuel cell bus service at the world’s highest altitude.
At a formal ceremony held at the NTPC Green Hydrogen Mobility Station in Leh’s Palam area, five hydrogen-powered buses were handed over by NTPC Limited to the State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO), UT Ladakh.
This milestone marks not only India’s maiden commercial deployment of hydrogen fuel cell buses but also sets a global benchmark, with Leh becoming the highest-altitude region in the world to operationalize such advanced clean-energy transportation.
The launch event was graced by Bhupesh Chaudhary, Administrative Secretary of the Transport Department, along with the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Leh and other senior officials from NTPC and SIDCO. Following the symbolic flag-off of the buses, Secretary Bhupesh Chaudhary inspected the Green Hydrogen Plant and reviewed the production, storage, and dispensing systems installed at the site. He lauded NTPC’s initiative, stating that such projects contribute significantly to Ladakh’s vision of becoming a carbon-neutral region.
Later, the NTPC team met with UT Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal to brief him on the project’s successful implementation. The Chief Secretary hailed the initiative as a major technological achievement and emphasized that the knowledge and operational insights from this project should be documented to serve as a blueprint for similar projects nationwide.
This collaborative venture between NTPC and the Ladakh Administration is seen as a game-changer in India’s renewable energy roadmap. It showcases the country’s commitment to sustainable innovation and clean energy, especially in ecologically sensitive and strategically crucial areas like Ladakh.
The green hydrogen mobility project in Leh is expected to inspire similar deployments across India, placing the nation firmly on the global map of hydrogen energy pioneers.
