Despite demand, firm fails to set up e-charging stations in Amritsar

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Amritsar, August 3

In view of rising demand for e-vehicles, a number of charging locations and public charging infrastructure points were proposed in the city to cater to the needs of e-vehicles, but the Amritsar Smart City Limited (ASCL) has failed to implement it till date.

Need of the hour

We have proposed to set up e-charging point under ‘RAAHI’ project. We will get the land and set up the e-charging stations as it is the need of the hour. — Sandeep Singh, incharge, project implementation unit, ASCL

The ASCL had decided to promote e-mobility to improve the city’s air quality, provide more viable employment to those engaged in transportation services and providing e-mobility experience to tourists here.

Though the rejuvenation of autorickshaws in Amritsar through holistic intervention project has failed to attract diesel auto drivers, a huge number of e-rickshaws are now functional without any government support in the holy city.

As e-rickshaws contribute to achieving the environment and air quality, the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI), Government of India, implemented a scheme — Faster Adoption of Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) — to promote electric mobility and simultaneously reduce dependency on fossil fuels. The ASCL had proposed e-vehicle charging infrastructure in the city.

The proposal to set up e-charging stations at Bhandari Bridge was rejected by the MC General House last year. The councillors had objection on the minimal rent proposed by the ASCL to the MC. The MC councillors sought market price for space to set up e-charging station.

Sandeep Singh, incharge, Project Implementation Unit, ASCL, said, “We have proposed to set up e-charging point under ‘RAAHI’ project. We will get the land and set the e-charging stations as it is the need of the hour.”