July 10, 2019
Bengal Govt taking measures to encourage electric vehicles
In a bid to encourage more electric vehicles in the State, the government will allow private electric car owners to charge their vehicles at a nominal cost, which would comprise only the electricity charge, at the charging stations set up by the government.
The Transport Minister provided this information in the Assembly on Friday, July 5, in response to a query, adding that the government has already set up 55 charging stations across the State.
Among other initiatives for a pollution-free transport system, the minister said the government has already introduced 40 electric buses in Kolkata and will launch another 40 such in a month’s time. Besides contributing to the reduction of air pollution, electric vehicles have the advantage of being almost silent.
The minister maintained that his department is in constant touch with the State Pollution Control Board and is constantly engaged in taking steps to curb vehicular pollution. Three mobile checking points have been set up in different parts of Kolkata to check the pollution level of vehicles.
In March 2019, the Transport department, in association with the Traffic Department of the State Police, had banned the entry of commercial vehicles 15 years or older into areas under the Kolkata, Howrah, Bidhannagar and Barrackpore Commissionerates, said the minister.
It may be mentioned in this connection that Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) too is planning to come up with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, in collaboration with CESC, to encourage the use of more electric vehicles.
The charging stations will be set up under flyovers and in parking lots, and wherever else there will be availability of space.
Source: Millennium Post
