Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 29: The process of identifying 1,190 sites all over the state spread over 240 taluk headquarters in 31 districts for the installation of electricity charge centres has been finalized. The government plans to give a boost to this process with a view to minimize pollution.

The energy department proposes to install these charging stations with a plan to park seven cars in the government buildings and ensure that 1,008 sq ft area is available at the centres for parking these cars and to move them.

The government plans to extend support in a big way to the electric mobility sector and to attract investment. The state department of commerce and industry has spelt out the Karnataka Electric Vehicles and Energy Storage Policy as per which Bescom is the state nodal agency. In the 2021-22 budget, it was planned to set up a thousand electric charging stations but because of Covid and other financial reasons, the plan is moving slowly.

The buildings being identified are offices of the deputy commissioners, taluk offices, mini Vidhana Soudha, government hospitals, government colleges and other government buildings. The power being supplied will be charged at five rupees per unit which is equivalent to the one applicable for street lights and water supply units.

A total of 600 such charging stations will be set up under the smart city project undertaken in seven city corporation. A total of 1,190 stations spread over 31 districts will be there out of which 50.42 percent will be in smart cities. Preparations are on to finalize the spots and issue orders, energy department officials say. As per the plan, Bengaluru will have 150 such whereas other city corporation centres will have 75 each.