The Union government has designated Deendayal, VO Chidambaranar, and Paradip port areas as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), a move aimed at catalysing large-scale hydrogen production, utilisation, and export from India. The recognition, rolled out on 10 October 2025, is intended to create integrated hydrogen ecosystems around key maritime nodes and to accelerate the country’s transition to low-carbon logistics and industry.
Welcoming the change, Sarbananda Sonowal, Union minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, described the step as a “defining moment” for India’s maritime journey. He said the ports, leveraging their strategic positions on eastern and western trade routes, will act as catalysts for clean energy innovation and support India’s net-zero by 2070 aspiration under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Cluster Approach To Hydrogen Hubs
The NGHM adopted a cluster-based model to address logistical and technical challenges associated with long-distance hydrogen transport. Under revised scheme guidelines for Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters (HVIC) and Green Hydrogen Hubs issued on 27 June 2025, the ministry may recognise locations as hubs without direct financial assistance, enabling projects established within designated zones to access incentives available under other central and state schemes.
The recognition is expected to improve early-stage project viability by encouraging infrastructure convergence and economies of scale in targeted regions. Projects within the Deendayal (Gujarat), VO Chidambaranar (Tamil Nadu), and Paradip (Odisha) zones will be eligible for benefits under relevant policies, thereby attracting industrial participation, green investment, and technological innovation in hydrogen derivatives and related clean-fuel technologies.
The competent authority has approved the three ports’ recognition under Component B2 of the revised guidelines, which facilitates non-financial recognition that still unlocks other policy benefits.
Officials expect the hubs to strengthen regional logistics, promote clean-fuel adoption in industry and shipping, and provide a platform for public-private collaboration in research, manufacturing, and supply-chain development. The recognition, the ministry said, should help India scale hydrogen activity while addressing cost and transport hurdles associated with the fuel. |
