Patna: In keeping with burgeoning number of electric vehicles (EVs) on roads, Niti Aayog has stipulated the target of setting up 1000 additional charging stations across the state in a year.
NITI Aayog advisor Sudhendu Jyoti Sinha, who held a meeting with stakeholders in Patna, said the commission has set the target to set up 1000 EV charging stations in Bihar in a year. He also asked all stakeholders, including oil companies and charging infrastructure organizations to install more and more charging stations and also run campaigns in this regard so that EV users could avail the benefits.
Also Read: Govt sanctions ₹800cr to set up 7432 public EV charging stations
Sinha was attending a meeting held under the chairmanship of state’s transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal on Wednesday. The meeting was convened to devise ways to promote installation of electric vehicle charging stations in the state. Representatives of government and non-government stakeholders departments, oil companies, EV dealers and representatives of charging infrastructure organizations from other states participated in this meeting.
Various aspects of setting up electric vehicle charging stations were discussed in detail in the meeting and stakeholders and representatives of other companies assured to cooperate in the government’s mission. The transport department will approach concerned agency to put all 300 EV existing charging stations in the state to put on Google Maps for convenience of the vehicle owners.
Also Read: Bihar Govt unveils EV policy to drive sustainable transport ecosystem
Transport secretary Aggarwal said that there were immense possibilities in the field of EV in the state and the government would provide all possible help to expand the network of charging stations.
Charging stations to be set up on both sides of highway
The transport secretary said that charging stations would be installed at a certain distance on the national highways (NH), so that EV users do not face any inconvenience during long distance travel. Along with this, charging stations will be installed on various routes, petrol pumps, bus terminals, bus depots, schools, colleges etc. of the city. Currently, more than 300 EV charging facilities are available at various petrol pumps and other places in the state.
Also Read: Ex-Tesla manager launches EVs for passengers, goods in Bihar
EV charging stations to be established on priority basis
Charging stations for EVs will be set up at prominent places in various districts on priority basis, so that the use of electric vehicles can be encouraged. This will not o nly help in keeping environment clean, but will also save the country’s import bill. The state government is working rapidly in this direction and soon the charging facility will start after the installation of EV charging stations in various parts of the NH and the city.
‘Encourage use of electric vehicles’
The department also made a fervent appeal to the people to go for electric vehicles, instead of those powered by fossil fuel. This will help in protecting the environment not only at the individual level but also collectively. The department will also coordinate with various departments and agencies to ensure smooth execution of the scheme to promote EVs.
Also Read: Tata Power sets up 450 EV charging points on highways
Grant on installation of EV charging stations
At the meeting, the transport secretary said that the state government would dole out grants under the Bihar Electric Vehicle Policy, 2023, which has been notified, on setting up the charging facilities. Under this policy, more and more charging stations are to be established in the state to provide easy charging facility to electric vehicles.
Municipal corporation’s parks to have EV charging stations
Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been authorised to install charging stations at unoccupied places below all the bridges of Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL). PMC commissioner Animesh Parashar, who was also present in the meeting, has been told to take necessary action to identify places and set up EV charging stations at convenient locations for vehicles during the parking.
Also Read: Bihar to have 10 new urban PHC, one to come up in Patna
State transport commissioner Vishal Raj, additional secretary, transport, Praveen Kumar, administrator, Bihar state toad transport corporation Abhay Jha and joint secretary, transport, Hemant Kumar were also present.
