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The government has taken a big step to promote the use of electric vehicles (EV) in Uttar Pradesh. Under the Pradhan Mantri E-Drive Yojana, a wide network of public EV charging stations will be developed across the state. To give impetus to this ambitious scheme, all government departments, development authorities and agencies have been instructed to identify the suitable land under their control and provide its complete details soon.

In this regard, a high-level meeting was organized under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary SP Goyal, in which the implementation of the scheme and necessary preparations were reviewed.

Emphasis on rapidly developing charging infrastructure

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary said that the Prime Minister e-Drive Scheme is an important initiative towards strengthening the clean, green and sustainable transport system. He asked all departments to work on rapid development of modern public EV charging infrastructure with mutual coordination.

He clarified that creation of a wide network of charging stations will facilitate people in using electric vehicles and the pace of EV adoption will also increase.

Government land will be surveyed

The Chief Secretary directed that all departments should survey their office premises, available government land and other public places and identify suitable places for setting up charging stations.

This information will be sent in the prescribed format to UP Renewable and EV Infrastructure Limited, so that charging stations can be developed in a planned manner across the state.

These places will get priority

The government has planned to give priority to several key locations for setting up charging stations. These include departmental office complexes, public parking lots of municipal bodies, industrial areas, logistics parks, land of development authorities, along state highways and expressway corridors.

With charging facilities available at these places, both private and commercial electric vehicles can be easily charged.

There will be nodal officers at state and district level

Instructions have also been given to appoint nodal officers at the state and district level to ensure effective operation of the scheme and better coordination between various departments.

These officers will play an important role in completing the process of land selection, project monitoring and setting up charging stations in a timely manner.

standards set for land

In the meeting, the officials also decided the initial standard of land required for charging stations. According to this, about 400 to 600 square feet of land is considered sufficient for a public charging station in urban areas.

At the same time, about 3,000 square feet of land will be required to develop large charging hubs on state highways and expressway corridors, so that the facility of charging multiple vehicles can be provided simultaneously.

Pollution reduction and green transportation will get a boost

Officials believe that with the increase in the number of public charging stations in the state, the use of electric vehicles will increase rapidly. This will reduce dependence on petrol and diesel, reduce air pollution and also strengthen environmental protection.

The government’s aim is not only to create a charging network but also to include Uttar Pradesh among the leading states in the direction of clean, modern and sustainable transport system. In the coming time, this initiative will give new impetus to electric mobility and will also strengthen the goal of green development.