Himachal CM in Talks with JICA For Green Hydrogen Energy Plants

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at New Delhi on Thursday and said that the agency will be funding green hydrogen, tunneling, dairy and sewerage sectors. 

What does the JICA do?

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an implementing agency of Japanese Official Development Aid (ODA) for the purpose of supporting the socioeconomic development, recovery, or economic stability of developing regions.

JICA also provides ODA Grants in which budget support is provided to a developing country. This can be for multiple humanitarian reasons the promotion of a poverty reduction strategy in order to improve and engage in a country's socio-economic development.

A high-profile meeting regarding this will be held as soon as the chief minister has asked JICA to send him the details, following which the blueprints will be made. Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has stated that tiny tunnels are crucial for the ease of connectivity in the hilly state and also help save the time spent on commute.

He said, “Dairy farming is the third sector where the JICA will be extending its support. This is to transform the state’s farming economy and the economy of the state as a whole. Second, on the list, sanitation and sewerage will be prioritized by the state”.

Himachal Pradesh aims to be a green state by 2025- the initiative has been taken forward with the replacement of vehicles in the Transport department of the State. The State has also been planning to set up green hydrogen plants for Electric vehicles- which will be a long step forward while attempting to achieve its giant green state goal. For the setting up of Green Hydrogen Plants, the state will have to confirm with the Indian Oil Corporation.

Chief Representative of JICA, Saito Mitsunori has assured the Chief Minister that the organization would work in compliance with the state’s wishes.