DMRC Begins Hydrogen Bus Service in Central Vista Under Green Mobility Push

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has started a new hydrogen-powered shuttle bus service in the Central Vista area of New Delhi as part of a cleaner public transport initiative. The service began on May 15 and is aimed at improving last-mile connectivity while promoting low-emission transportation solutions in the capital. The move has been introduced in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and is being viewed as an important pilot project for hydrogen-based urban mobility in India. ⸻ Shuttle Service to Connect Key Government Areas The newly launched shuttle buses will operate between Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth Metro stations, covering several important government and public locations across Central Vista. According to available information, the route is expected to include: * Kartavya Path * Vigyan Bhawan * Nirman Bhawan * Akbar Road * Baroda House * National Stadium * India Gate area * Nearby government offices The buses are expected to run in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions to improve connectivity for commuters and visitors. ⸻ Features of the Hydrogen Buses The hydrogen-powered buses supplied for this project are equipped with several modern safety and monitoring systems, including: * GPS tracking * CCTV surveillance * Real-time monitoring systems Reports suggest that each bus can accommodate around 35 passengers and has been designed for urban shuttle operations. The buses used in the project have reportedly been manufactured by Tata Motors and provided under the IOCL-DMRC partnership. ⸻ Service Timing and Objective According to officials, the shuttle service will operate from around 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The main objective is to strengthen last-mile connectivity between metro stations and nearby office zones while reducing dependence on conventional diesel and petrol-powered transport. DMRC officials have stated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to explore cleaner mobility solutions for urban transportation systems. ⸻ Is Hydrogen Better Than CNG? Hydrogen-powered buses are generally considered cleaner than conventional fossil-fuel vehicles because they produce significantly lower direct emissions during operation. However, large-scale adoption still faces several practical challenges, including: * High infrastructure costs * Limited hydrogen refuelling facilities * Complex fuel storage and supply systems Because of these factors, CNG continues to remain a more practical large-scale solution for city bus operations at present. Experts believe hydrogen mobility projects like this should currently be viewed as pilot programs for future clean transportation development. ⸻ AMPYAN Insight Hydrogen mobility is gradually becoming part of India’s long-term clean transport strategy. While the technology is still at an early stage for mass deployment, projects like the DMRC hydrogen shuttle initiative may help authorities study real-world operational performance, infrastructure requirements, and long-term feasibility for urban transportation networks.