Bengal pushing for electric vehicles to curb pollution; centre of excellence coming up in New Town
Electric transportation is gaining more and more popularity in Kolkata and its adjoining areas in recent times. The Bengal government, over the last few years, has been introducing electric buses in Kolkata and New Town to control the air pollution brought on as a result of vehicles run on petrol and diesel belching out exhaust gases.
This initiative has not only found support among the people, as much for the comfort of the vehicles as for their being pollution-free, but has also be recognised internationally, with the C40 Award at the international mayors’ conference two years back.
Now, the Bengal government has chosen the smart city of New Town as the location for a centre of excellence for electric vehicles (EVs). Towards further popularising EVs, a carnival will be held at Eco Park in the satellite city from September 24 to 26. A roadshow on electric cars may be held in December.
The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) is also considering forming a sub-committee with the government and a service providing agency for managing electrical transportation. The authorities are also working towards marking the eight charging stations in New Town on Google Maps.
The state government has set a target of introducing a lakh EVs by 2022. It is talks with several banks for loans on easy terms to people interested in owning electric public transport vehicles. Electric taxis are also on the cards.
To make this eco-friendly drive viable, the Power Department has undertaken a project whereby charging stations will be constructed every 25 km on national highways criss-crossing the state.
