City initiates process for formulation of Bhubaneswar E-vehicle Policy

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to promote eco-friendly and non-motorised public transport modes in the city, Bhubaneswar Development Authority and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have initiated the process for the formulation of a detailed Bhubaneswar E-vehicle Policy with the support of International Finance Corporation (IFC), a wing of the World Bank Group.

In a high level meeting chaired by Vice-Chairman, BDA, and attended by CEO, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), Regional Transport Officers (RTOs), senior officials from city agencies such as BDA, BMC, BPTS, BSCL and representatives of IFC, on Tuesday, the experts and consultants Deloitte and C-Step presented initial findings, opportunities and possible options which may be included in the policy document after detailed study and analysis.

The expert consultants have been mandated to come up with detailed Bhubaneswar E-vehicle Policy document and roll out plan of e-vehicles in the city.

While presenting the initial findings of the market assessment study conducted in last two months, the experts elaborated on the benefits of reduced operational cost in e-vehicles vis-à-vis diesel operated vehicles.

While the average cost per km in diesel operated vehicles (auto-rickshaws) come around Rs. 2, the same for e-vehicles (e-rickshaw) comes 20 paisa per km, they added. Different stakeholders were also briefed on the incentives and schemes provided by both the central as well as state governments.

The state Government has reduced one-time registration charge for e-vehicles to 3% in comparison to the existing 6% registration charge for diesel operated auto rickshaws. The central Government, under National Electric Mission, offer subsidy and incentives through special schemes for e-vehicles.

The expert consultants appointed by IFC will also come up with a pilot implementation plan in this regard in BTCD (Bhubaneswar Town Centre District) area which includes possible operational model, options for supporting infrastructure such as charging points and dedicated routes for e-rickshaws and e-vehicles as an eco-friendly public transport solution.