Sonowal unveils green hydrogen pilot at VOC Port, Tuticorin; lays foundation for green methanol bunkering
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated a ₹3.87 crore, 10 Nm³/hr green hydrogen pilot at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tamil Nadu, on 5 September 2025 and laid the foundation for a 750 m³ green methanol bunkering facility.
Summary
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated a port-based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, on 5 September 2025. Built at a cost of ₹3.87 crore, the 10 Nm³/hr facility will generate green hydrogen to power streetlights and an EV charging station in the port colony. He also laid the foundation for a pilot Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling Facility of 750 m³ capacity costing ₹35.34 crore, aligned with the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin. A 400 kW rooftop solar plant took the port's rooftop solar capacity to 1.04 MW, the highest among Indian ports. Sonowal paid tribute to freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar on his 154th birth anniversary and said India aims to be among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and top 5 by 2047.
Key facts
- Date
- 5 Sep 2025, VOC Port, Tuticorin (TN)
- Green hydrogen pilot
- 10 Nm³/hr, ₹3.87 crore; powers streetlights and EV charging
- Green methanol bunkering
- 750 m³ pilot, ₹35.34 crore (foundation laid)
- Corridor
- Proposed Kandla–Tuticorin Coastal Green Shipping Corridor
- Rooftop solar
- Port total 1.04 MW, highest among Indian ports
- Shipbuilding goal
- Top 10 by 2030, top 5 by 2047
Practice MCQs 4 questions
At which port did Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurate a green hydrogen pilot project on 5 September 2025?
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Correct answer: C — V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin
The port-based green hydrogen pilot was inaugurated at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.
The pilot green methanol bunkering facility at VOC Port is aligned with a proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Tuticorin and which port?
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Correct answer: A — Kandla
The facility is aligned with the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin.
According to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in September 2025, India aims to be among the world's top 10 shipbuilding nations by which year?
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Correct answer: D — 2030
Sonowal said India aims to be among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and top 5 by 2047.
Consider the following statements about the projects at V.O. Chidambaranar Port on 5 September 2025: 1. The green hydrogen pilot will power streetlights and an EV charging station in the port colony. 2. With a new 400 kW plant, the port's rooftop solar capacity reached 1.04 MW, the highest among Indian ports. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are stated in the release: the 10 Nm³/hr pilot powers streetlights and an EV charging station, and the port's rooftop solar capacity rose to 1.04 MW, the highest among Indian ports.