India’s First Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vessel Launched at Varanasi
Why in the news
Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off a fully home-built hydrogen fuel-cell passenger vessel at Namo Ghat in Varanasi on 11 December 2025. The pilot supports green inland waterways and net-zero goals.
Key facts
- Builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), designed and built in India.
- Nature: a pilot project for clean inland water transport.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | About 24 metres |
| Seats | 50 passengers, air-conditioned |
| Power | LT-PEM (Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane) hydrogen fuel cells with lithium-ion phosphate batteries |
| Emissions | Zero; just water and heat as byproducts |
| Operation | Quiet and more efficient than diesel boats |
Exam angle
- Builder: Cochin Shipyard. Site: Namo Ghat, Varanasi.
- Technology: LT-PEM fuel cells.