Union Cabinet approves ₹19,744 crore for National Green Hydrogen Mission

The Union Cabinet also approved the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme with an outlay of ₹2,539.61 crore for financial support to Prasar Bharati for expanding and upgrading its broadcasting infrastructure and content development

The Union Cabinet has approved an expenditure of ₹19,744 crore for implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission, information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur said on Wednesday.

Union information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur briefed the media about the decisions taken in the Cabinet meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)

“India will be the global hub of green hydrogen which will play an immense role in addressing climate change. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, 50 lakh tonnes of green hydrogen will be produced per annum by 2030,” Thakur said in New Delhi while briefing the media about the decisions taken in the Cabinet meeting.

Thakur noted that incentives would be provided for technologies facilitating the low-cost production of green hydrogen, with a total amount of ₹17,490 crore allotted for these incentives.

The Union minister said that ₹17,490 crore will be allocated for strategic interventions, and ₹1,466 crore will be used to conduct pilot projects. The research and development (R&D) component will likely receive an investment of ₹800 crore.

Talking about how the planned green hydrogen processes would empower the government’s vision of self-reliance, Thakur said, “India would not only fulfil its own energy needs but also move in the direction of exporting energy. We have allocated a budget for the R&D for this purpose. Regarding the manufacturing of green hydrogen, we are working towards self-reliant India by focusing on producing most of the components in India itself.”

Investment of ₹8 lakh crore and creation of 6 lakh jobs are expected under the National Green Hydrogen Mission till 2030, he added.

The I&B Minister also noted that passenger vehicles are likely to be equipped with green hydrogen capacity in an effort to reduce pollution along with increased use of electric vehicles. “The production of green hydrogen through various sources would lead to a reduction in carbon emissions of 50 million metric tons, and our import bill of ₹1 lakh crore would be significantly reduced as well,” he said.

The Union Cabinet also approved the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme with an outlay of ₹2,539.61 crore for financial support to Prasar Bharati for expanding and upgrading its broadcasting infrastructure and content development.

Underlining the government’s aims to expand the coverage plans of Doordarshan in border areas and Left-Wing Extremism areas, the minister said, “The public broadcaster’s aim should be to reach the government’s policies accurately to people in far-flung areas. After the arrival of OTT platforms, there has been a challenge to the film industry, but it has also created opportunities for artists.”

“Now, DD Live coverage is available on your mobile phones. We are utilising technology to provide access to audiences with access to smartphones and those residing in far-flung areas with just a TV set. We are currently planning how Doordrashan will function 20 years from now to fulfil the future’s requirements right from now,” he added.

Under the BIND scheme, the government aims to provide high-quality content for international and domestic audiences. The scheme would also involve the purchase of OB vans and the digital upgradation of Doordarshan and All India Radio studios.