In a recently taken decision, the
Maharashtra State Transport (ST) Corporation has planned on setting up charging stations across 10 ST stations in the state. Reports state that, over the next few months, a total of 50 charging stations will be set up at Pune, Solapur, Nashik, Aurangabad and Kolhapur.
As of now, the government offices are restricted with 15 per cent manpower, due to the ongoing
coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and as a result, not many firms have been able to respond to the tenders related to electric buses, which were floated two weeks back.
Based on the policy drafted by the central government, officials have been working on on maximizing the use of electric vehicles as an alternative to rising fuel prices. All the state transport corporations have taken measures to include electric buses as they have been attracting grants from the Centre. Keeping this in mind, a
total of 100 electric buses will be functional by the corporation and tenders have been invited for the same. However, as per the guidelines, it is mandatory for the department to set up an electric charging station, and this will have to be developed by the contractors supplying the bus.
On being asked about the response to the tender, officials from the ST Corporation said that the department has been facing difficulties due manpower constraints in the pandemic. While the tenders were invited on May 8, 2021, no information has been received on the number of companies that have responded to the same. More information is said to be available once the manpower is back.
In January 2021, the Department of Environment and Climate Change and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board had organised a workshop with various stakeholders to revise the Maharashtra Vehicle Policy. During the meeting, Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray mentioned that the state will have
30 per cent electric buses, in BEST, in the next 5 years.
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