The Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has revealed that the Maharashtra government aims to build electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities at MSRTC depots and Regional Transport Offices across the state.
Speaking at a function to flag off Tata Motors’ electric trucks at the Tardeo RTO office in central Mumbai, Sarnaik said the government is also considering setting up EV charging stations at flyovers across the state on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
“Flyovers of MMRDA, MSRDC or PWD should be given to MSRTC or the RTO department so that we can set up charging stations on a PPP basis at these locations,” he said.
Sarnaik said the government is attempting to establish EV charging stations at flyovers as per a novel concept.
He has already written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the proposal to set up charging stations at flyovers, noting that the project would be expedited after receiving approval.
Sarnaik also appealed to people to switch to electric vehicles in large numbers to help reduce pollution.
The minister, who is also the chairman of MSRTC, said the corporation has set a target of converting its entire bus fleet to electric buses by 2036.
“Though the Prime Minister has announced achieving 100 per cent electric vehicles by 2047 and the chief minister has given them the same target, MSRTC will try to make its entire fleet electric by 2036,” Sarnaik added.
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