The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), in partnership with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has introduced an integrated hydrogen-powered shuttle bus service in Delhi's Central Vista area. The initiative, supported by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), features two hydrogen-fuelled buses, each with a seating capacity of 35 passengers. These buses are equipped with GPS-based tracking and CCTV systems, enabling real-time monitoring, safety, punctuality, and route adherence.
Service Details and Schedule
According to officials, the shuttle service will operate on all working days, excluding gazetted holidays, during peak office hours. DMRC Director (Operations & Services) Amit Kumar Jain stated that the service will run from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm in the morning and from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm in the evening. Speaking to ANI, Jain explained that the system has been designed as an environmentally friendly last-mile connectivity option in the Central Vista zone.
Planned Routes and Future Expansion
Amit Kumar Jain told ANI that the DMRC has planned two loops of shuttle services in Central Vista. He added that the government is planning to run shuttle buses connecting government colonies to the nearest metro stations. “This will connect all offices and metro stations in Central Vista. This will ply from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. Metro is considered the most sustainable, environmentally friendly mode. But the metro cannot reach everywhere. So, last-mile options are very important. We have fossil fuel-based options available for last-mile options. I am delighted, and I would like to thank IOCL for providing these H2O buses. Besides being energy efficient, they are environmentally friendly.”
“As of now, these will connect DMRC stations in Central Vista - Seva Teerth and Central Secretariat, as well as the offices here. There is another plan by the Government - providing shuttle buses which will connect government colonies to the nearest metro stations,” he added.
Environmental Impact and Significance
The hydrogen-powered buses produce only water vapor as a byproduct, making them a zero-emission transport option. This initiative aligns with India's broader goals of promoting sustainable urban mobility and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The deployment of these buses in the Central Vista area, which houses key government offices and landmarks, underscores the commitment to green transportation solutions.
