Kochi: Cochin International Airport Ltd is set to become the first airport in the country to operate hydrogen-powered buses for passenger transportation, following the exchange of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Kerala Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster Foundation and CIAL.
The MoA was formally exchanged by Minister for Electricity, and also Chairman of the Governing body, ANERT, Shri K. Krishnankutty, on behalf of the Kerala HVIC Foundation, and Minister for Industries, and also Director of CIAL, Shri P Rajeev.
The agreement pertains to the procurement and operation of three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses at Kochi airport as part of the Kerala Hydrogen Valley initiative under the National Green Hydrogen Mission of the Government of India. Under the MoA, the K-HVIC Foundation will provide financial support for the procurement of the buses, with funding capped at ?2.90 crores per bus and the overall project outlay limited to ?8.7 crores, to be released in stages.
Procurement of the buses is scheduled to be completed within 12 months. Ownership of the buses will vest with CIAL, which will bear the operational and statutory expenses and decide the operational model and routes.
The project is expected to significantly enhance passenger convenience while reducing emissions from airport transport operations. With the green hydrogen plant constructed jointly by CIAL and BPCL set to commence operations, fuel supply for the buses will be ensured. With statutory approvals for hydrogen supply infrastructure already in place, the initiative is poised for early implementation.
CIAL MD, S Suhas; CMD, Kerala HVIC Foundation, Harshil R Meena, and Dr Ranjith Krishna Pai, Senior Director and Scientist, DST, Government of India, were among those present.