India’s First Hydrogen Buses To Begin Central Vista Service

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will begin India’s first hydrogen-powered shuttle bus service in Delhi’s Central Vista area on 15 May 2026. The service will connect the Central Secretariat Metro Station and the Seva Teerth Metro Station and will operate with two hydrogen fuel cell buses provided by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses

Hydrogen fuel cell buses use hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell to produce electricity, with water vapour as the main tailpipe emission. Each bus in this service has a seating capacity of 35 passengers and is fitted with GPS tracking and CCTV systems.

Route, Timings and Fare System

The shuttle service will run on weekdays from Monday to Friday, excluding gazetted holidays. The operating hours are 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, with a frequency of one bus every 30 minutes. The buses will move on clockwise and anti-clockwise loops and will cover Kartavya Bhawan, Vigyan Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan and India Gate. Fare collection will use the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and cash, with stage-wise fares of Rs 10 and Rs 15.

Institutional Roles

The DMRC will manage bus operations, conductors, ticketing and passenger support. IOCL will provide drivers and hydrogen fuel support for the shuttle service. The project is a collaboration between the DMRC, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Important Facts for Exams

• Central Vista is a government district in New Delhi that includes major administrative buildings and ceremonial spaces.
• The National Common Mobility Card is an interoperable payment card used in public transport systems in India.
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are classified as zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles because they emit water vapour during operation.
• Indian Oil Corporation Limited is a Maharatna public sector undertaking under the Government of India.

Green Mobility Context

Hydrogen-powered buses are part of India’s wider clean transport and alternative fuel ecosystem. The Central Vista shuttle service is the first hydrogen bus operation announced for Delhi’s government district.