The State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) has approved 24 investment proposals worth ₹3,793.33 crore across 14 districts, marking a significant push to Odisha's industrialisation drive. As per Business Standard, the projects are expected to generate nearly 20,000 jobs across employment-intensive sectors including manufacturing, textiles and apparel, clean energy, advanced materials, tourism and logistics. The SLSWCA, headed by Anu Garg, chief secretary, cleared projects across Khurda, Dhenkanal, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Jajpur, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Balangir, Puri, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur and Mayurbhanj districts. The textiles and apparel sector emerged as the biggest employment generator among the approved projects, with the largest project being an apparel manufacturing unit by Nandraj Textiles Pvt Ltd in Khurda with an investment of ₹168.64 crore and employment potential of 10,306 jobs.
Hygenco currently operates two commercial green hydrogen plants in India and is set to begin construction of three to four more plants in 2026-27. The company is a recipient of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) under the government's Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme. According to Business Standard, the new equity infusion will support the development of multiple commercially attractive green hydrogen projects, as Hygenco aims to mobilise additional private-sector investments for the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives, including green ammonia. The company aims to expand production capabilities and strengthen supply chains to deliver zero-emission green molecules to hard-to-abate industrial sectors, playing a transformative role in the country's energy transition and directly supporting the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
The investment will support the creation of more than 1,000 direct jobs over five years, while generating indirect employment opportunities across the green hydrogen value chain and the broader industrial ecosystem. As per the joint statement, Hygenco aims to mobilise additional private sector investments at the asset company level for production of green hydrogen and green hydrogen derivatives (including green ammonia). By expanding the production capabilities and strengthening supply chains, Hygenco aims to deliver zero-emission green molecules to hard-to-abate industrial sectors, playing a transformative role in the country's energy transition and directly supporting India's National Green Hydrogen Mission. The partnership aims to scale a commercially viable model, pioneer Hydrogen-as-a-Service, and expand the supply of affordable and reliable green hydrogen solutions, while signaling confidence in the sector's long-term growth potential.
Odisha has taken a significant step forward in its clean mobility agenda with a high-level review meeting on June 3, 2026, chaired by Housing and Urban Development Department Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee. The meeting focused on establishing a green hydrogen ecosystem for public transport through the state's first Green Hydrogen Mobility Project. According to latest reports, the initiative has the potential to position Odisha among leading states adopting next-generation clean mobility technologies. Padhee emphasized the importance of creating a scalable hydrogen ecosystem and urged all stakeholder agencies to work in close coordination to expedite resolution of pending technical, financial and regulatory matters. "The corridor will serve as a demonstration model for assessing the viability of hydrogen-powered public transport under real-world operating conditions. The buses will be launched within a few months once the facilities are developed," she stated during the review meeting.
A green hydrogen production and refuelling facility will be established at CRUT's Pokhariput depot in Bhubaneswar, with the facility expected to produce around 260 kg of green hydrogen per day. As confirmed by officials, the facility will generate 260 kilograms of green hydrogen daily, enabling buses to run up to 600 kilometres under ideal conditions. The facility will support the operation of three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses during the pilot phase, with the project initially focusing on the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Khurda-Puri-Konark corridor - one of Odisha's busiest urban and tourism routes. Md Sadique Alam, managing director of CRUT, confirmed that the state government has provided land for the production facility. NTPC will develop and operate the hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure, while Gridco will facilitate electricity supply and associated incentives. CRUT will oversee bus operations and passenger services, with the project supporting India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and contributing to Net Zero goals.
Officials estimate that the project could reduce nearly 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, contributing substantially to climate mitigation efforts and improvements in urban air quality. The hydrogen-powered buses are designed to travel up to 600 km a day under ideal operating conditions, significantly outperforming many battery-electric buses in terms of range. Unlike conventional diesel vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell buses emit only water vapour, eliminating tailpipe emissions altogether. The initiative supports India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and contributes to Net Zero goals, with authorities expecting the project to eliminate tailpipe emissions and promote indigenous clean fuel technologies. According to experts, hydrogen fuel cell technology is a crucial complement to battery-electric mobility, particularly for long-distance transport and high-utilisation public transit systems, as hydrogen buses can be refuelled within minutes and offer significantly higher driving ranges.
The pilot operations will initially focus on the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Khurda-Puri-Konark corridor to ensure operational feasibility and demonstrate the viability of hydrogen-powered mobility in Odisha. CRUT currently operates more than 560 buses on 106 routes across five cities in Odisha - Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Berhampur, with 290 electric buses making e-mobility the primary focus. An additional 400 e-buses are in the pipeline under the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme. During the recent review meeting, officials discussed operational modalities, route planning, financial viability, and risk allocation. CRUT raised specific concerns about operational expenditure, assured kilometre commitments, revenue-sharing mechanisms, and risk allocation under the proposed term sheet. The meeting suggested initial deployment along the designated corridor to demonstrate feasibility and position Odisha as a leader in next-generation clean mobility solutions. The project makes Odisha one of the most ambitious state-level hydrogen mobility initiatives in eastern India, following New Delhi's deployment of hydrogen buses between Delhi and Agra.
