CM bans government departments from using petrol, diesel vehicles under Green and Clean Himachal initiative
Shimla: In an initiative to achieve the goal of green and clean Himachal, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has directed all government departments not to purchase diesel or petrol vehicles from January 1, 2024.
“The ‘Green and Clean Himachal’ initiative promotes e-vehicles in a big way,” according to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
If necessary, departments will be able to purchase petrol or diesel vehicles only after the approval of the state cabinet.
Aiming for a systemic change, the Chief Minister in his maiden Budget speech pledged to strengthen the state’s green cover and announced various provisions to promote e-vehicles in the state.
“Due to the continuous efforts of the government, the number of government e-vehicles has reached 185, while the number of private electric vehicles registered in the state is 2,733,” the release said.
The Chief Minister himself has set an example by using e-vehicles for the last several months.
CM Sukhu said, “Himachal Pradesh government is promoting e-vehicles in the state. The Transport Department has become the first department to replace its official vehicle fleet with e-vehicles and other departments will also follow suit.”
He said, “All departments will replace their fuel vehicles with e-vehicles in a phased manner. The use of e-vehicles is not only a new beginning but also shows the government’s commitment towards environmental protection.”
The Chief Minister said, “We have to preserve the environment for the coming generations and take initiative from today itself.”
To meet the requirement of vehicles in the departments, permission has been given to run e-taxis on contract basis. Under the Rs 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme, 50 percent subsidy is being provided to the youth on the purchase of e-taxi permits.
The government is developing infrastructure to charge e-vehicles and they can also be charged at home. The transport department has finalized 54 locations to set up e-vehicle charging stations in the state, some of which are almost ready.
According to the release, “It has been decided to develop six highways as green corridors to promote e-vehicles. Besides this, all the diesel buses of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) are being converted into e-buses.” In a phased manner.”
Recently, in a meeting, the manufacturing companies of e-buses were requested to keep in mind the geographical conditions of Himachal while manufacturing e-buses.
“The state government is going to run e-buses on long routes also. Type-1, 2 and 3 e-buses are being inducted into the HRTC fleet in a phased manner to achieve the aim of making Himachal a clean and green energy state.” The state’s target can be achieved by March 31, 2026,” CM Sukhu reiterated.
