KMC looks to bring up electric charging stations across city

Kolkata: As a major stride in its effort to turn Kolkata into a Green City, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is planning to come up with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, in collaboration with CESC. The effort will encourage the use of more electric vehicles, which will contribute significantly in bringing down air pollution.

"We are holding talks with CESC and will soon come up with electric vehicle charging stations in spaces under flyovers or parking lots, wherever there will be availability of space. Our aim is to encourage the citizens to use electric vehicles. The vehicular pollution is on the rise in the city and if people use electric vehicles, pollution will be reduced," said Mayor Firhad Hakim, adding that he will be constantly striving towards promotion of e-vehicles.

Hakim has instructed the officials of the civic body to collaborate with CESC and identify places in the city where there is possibility of setting up such charging stations.

Immediately after taking oath as the Mayor of Kolkata on December 3, Hakim had announced waiving of property tax by upto 90 percent, if somebody takes to urban forestry by planting big trees on his/her land.

It may be mentioned that CESC is already evaluating the business model for the e-charging station network in its distribution area. If found viable, then a project of about 150 e-charging stations could be executed by the power utility, based on the 567 km license area of CESC, covering Kolkata and part of Howrah district.

It may be mentioned that the Union Ministry of Power had written to utilities to consider setting up electric vehicle charging stations. A meeting in this regard was held in Delhi in September, where all states including Bengal had mentioned their plans about e-charging stations as a step to reduce carbon emission.

It may be mentioned that New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA), has come up with as many as 10 charging points at strategic locations in New Town, with the aim to reduce carbon emissions and move towards a cleaner, greener sustainable environment.

The charging stations have been installed mostly near parking zones, so that the e-vehicles can get charged while waiting.

Stations have been put up at parking lots near Rabindra Tirtha, Tata Medical Centre, Nazrul Tirtha, Gates 1/4/6 of Eco Park, Café Ekante, Axis Mall, Eco Urban Village and Central Mall.