Leh, Mar 6: Administrative Secretary of the Transport Department, Union Territory of Ladakh, Amit Sharma Wednesday chaired a significant meeting towards the realisation of a zero-emission hydrogen mobility project in Leh and deliberations on the proposal for the operationalisation of five hydrogen fuel cell buses to run with water conversion into fuel technology and the finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the Transport Department, Ladakh through a hybrid meeting held in Leh.
A comprehensive presentation was given to Sharma by the NTPC team to share the course of hydrogen-based projects in Ladakh, providing crucial insights into the timelines for the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell buses in the region and these five buses to run on water conversion into fuel technology which shall be first in the nation.
Discussion between Sharma and NTPC team flourished around the outlines of the proposed MoU, underscoring the collaborative efforts between the Ladakh Transport Department and NTPC.
The meeting explored the earliest availability of buses, optimal routes for deployment, oxygen bottling facilitated by NTPC through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives for tourists coming to Ladakh, solar plant integration and tariff considerations.
Sharma said that the initiative marks a decisive step towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions in Leh and shall be a trendsetter in the entire nation to follow suit.
“Through collaborative efforts and innovative strategies, we aim to usher in a new era of mobility while mitigating environmental impact,” he said.
Sharma elaborated that the emission of these hydrogen cell-fuelled buses shall be water vapour which perfectly aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who envisions seeing Ladakh as the first fully carbon-neutral UT of India.