Mukesh Agnihotri, the deputy chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, test drove an electric car from the secretariat and inquired about its technical elements. Himachal Pradesh is reforming its transportation industry with innovative ideas and will soon implement a new electric vehicle (EV) legislation, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri said on Monday.
Agnihotri drove an electric vehicle borrowed from the secretariat and inquired about its technological features. He stated that positive attempts would be made to drastically alter the transportation sector. Discussions are being held at various levels to introduce the new policy, he said. “Initially, the operation of electric vehicles will be promoted at the secretariat. Thereafter, their use will be increased in public transport,” Agnihotri said.
The government’s priority in the state, a renowned tourist destination, include environmental protection and promoting electric automobiles. He stated that a decision on the acquisition of electric vehicles will be made soon.
The government will take appropriate steps to provide charging facilities. “In the initial phase, this facility will be provided in various government institutions, including the secretariat and Himachal sadan and bhawans outside the state,” he added. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation has approximately 1,000 vehicles with zero book value, which will be gradually replaced with electric vehicles, according to Agnihotri, who also stated that electric buses will be included in the fleet under the new policy.
“The electric vehicle policy will prove fruitful in reducing this loss. It will also reduce the daily expenditure of about ₹1.5 crore incurred by the corporation,” he said. He also stated that the HRTC’s fleet of luxury buses would be expanded. Meanwhile, Agnihotri presided over a Ropeways and Rapid Transport Development Corporation (RTDC) review meeting here on Monday. He made note of all active projects, as well as concerns and problems that the firm was experiencing.
“The state government plans to go for this eco-friendly, clean and green mode of transport in a big way,” he said, adding that RTDC has started ground work for this project in Shimla. “This ropeway project will have a network of 14.69km ropeways connecting 15 stations with a project cost of ₹1,546.40 crore,” he said, adding that “our government plans to develop similar urban ropeway projects for Dharamshala and Manali towns”.
