Hydrogen is driving India’s journey towards sustainable transport future: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi

India's ambitious journey toward sustainable transportation has taken a significant leap forward with the recent announcement by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, regarding the sanctioning of 12 pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. This initiative aims to deploy 70 hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles supported by 16 hydrogen refuelling stations, marking a concrete step in decarbonizing one of the most challenging sectors — heavy transport. To truly appreciate the magnitude of this development, we must first understand the historical context and policy evolution that brought us here. The National Green Hydrogen Mission was formally approved by the Union Cabinet on January 4, 2023, with an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore, signaling India's firm commitment to becoming a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilization, and export. This mission is not an isolated policy but a strategic pillar of India's broader climate commitments, particularly the 'Panchamrit' targets announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 in Glasgow (2021), which include achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, reducing carbon intensity by 45% by 2030, and meeting 50% of energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030. The transport sector, responsible for nearly 14% of India's energy-related CO2 emissions, has long been a hard-to-abate segment, especially heavy-duty freight where battery-electric solutions face limitations due to weight, range, and charging time. Green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, offers a viable zero-emission alternative for long-haul trucking, buses, and even maritime and rail applications. The key stakeholders in this ecosystem include the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) as the nodal ministry, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for vehicle standards and deployment, oil marketing companies like Indian Oil, BPCL, and HPCL for refuelling infrastructure, private sector players such as Reliance Industries, Adani Group, and Tata Motors for technology and manufacturing, and state governments for land, permits, and policy alignment. Constitutionally, this initiative draws strength from Article 48A (Directive Principle for environmental protection), Article 51A(g) (fundamental duty to protect the environment), and entries in the Union and Concurrent Lists relating to industries, electricity, and environmental pollution control. The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 (amended in 2022) provides the legal framework for carbon credit trading and energy efficiency mandates, further enabling green hydrogen adoption. Economically, the mission aims to attract over ₹8 lakh crore in investments and create 6 lakh jobs by 2030, while reducing fossil fuel imports worth ₹1 lakh crore annually. Internationally, India is positioning itself as a leader in the Global South's energy transition, with partnerships under the International Solar Alliance and bilateral green hydrogen corridors with the EU, Japan, and Singapore. Looking ahead, the success of these 12 pilot projects will determine the scalability of hydrogen corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Golden Quadrilateral. Future implications include potential mandates for green hydrogen blending in industrial feedstocks, expansion into shipping and aviation, and India's emergence as a major exporter of green hydrogen and derivatives like green ammonia. For aspirants, this is not just a current affairs snippet — it's a window into India's integrated governance of climate, energy, and industrial policy.