Raipur, 14 September 2021. Transport Minister Shri Mohammad Akbar has said that there is a dire need to promote more and more electric vehicles in view of the present global problem of air pollution. Under this, the state government will provide all possible help, including providing basic facilities, to the mission related to electric vehicles and solar energy in Chhattisgarh.
The Transport Minister, Shri Akbar was addressing the ‘Chhattisgarh Electric Vehicle Conclave’ organized virtually by the Transport Department in collaboration with Elets Technomedia at his residence office in Shankar Nagar, Raipur today. He said that this program will create a good platform to make the industry and citizens aware about the policies of the government towards electric vehicles. It aims to attract investment in the e-mobility sector in the state. Transport Minister Akbar said that as per the intention of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh has to be given a new identity as ‘Electric Vehicle Hub’ and environment pollution free state. For this, companies are invited to manufacture electric vehicles and its components in the state. All necessary support will be provided to them by the state government.
Addressing the e-vehicle conclave, Transport Minister Shri Akbar said that in the present situation air pollution remains a matter of concern for the whole world and many measures are being taken to prevent it. Keeping in view the demand for energy and reducing air pollution, the use of solar energy is being reflected as the main option. Petrol and diesel are being used for the operation of vehicles in the state of Chhattisgarh. For whose fulfillment there is dependence on other countries and its prices are increasing continuously with time. In such a situation, electric vehicles have emerged as a good option. He said that at present the total number of vehicles in Chhattisgarh is 66 lakh 20 thousand 427. These include 3 lakh goods carrier vehicles and about 55 lakh two wheelers.
He said that various facilities are being provided by the state government to encourage the use of electric vehicles. In these, exemption from motor vehicle tax has been provided in e-carts and e-rickshaws for five years. The loan for battery operated e-rickshaw is provided by Chhattisgarh State Entrepreneur, Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation. Fitness, renewal of e-rickshaw and e-cart vehicles is being done for three years. Government of Chhattisgarh has implemented Nirman Shramik E-Rickshaw Sahayata Yojana, under which Chhattisgarh Unorganized Workers State Social Security Board is giving 50 thousand rupees as a lump sum grant. Electric vehicles are also exempted from permits under section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Transport Minister Shri Akbar said that the capacity and technology of electric vehicles are constantly being developed and expanded. Taking information from intellectuals and industrial organizations associated with this field, meaningful steps are being taken through this conclave. Other states have made an electric vehicle policy, but in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is of the opinion that a good electric vehicle policy should be made after getting suggestions from all the experts related to this field, suggestions are invited from all of you in this context.
He said that it is also necessary to build charging stations for systematic running and charging of electric vehicles. Some urban bodies and companies have set up their own charging stations and it will be necessary to increase their number further. So that the general public can get the facilities of vehicle charging easily. The state of Chhattisgarh is best for solar energy due to its geographical location, so that solar charging stations can be set up for charging vehicles using solar energy.
On this occasion, Commissioner Transport Mr. Topeshwar Verma, Additional Transport Commissioner Mr. Dipanshu Kabra, Deputy Transport Commissioner Mr. Shailabh Sahu and experts from Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd and e-vehicle companies Dr. Ravi Gupta, ELET Multimedia, Mr. Harshal Desai, MG Motor Ms. Neha Jain, Ather Energy Mr. Srikkanth S, Perxis Mobility Mr. Syed Hasin, Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Tanmay, Mr. Shekhar Dhole from Central Institute of Road Transport Pune, etc. also expressed their views regarding promotion of e-mobility mission.
