The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has initiated a bidding process to select operators for the establishment and maintenance of five electric vehicle (EV) public charging stations, featuring a total of 50 charging points. These stations will be situated at Janeshwar Mishra Park, Lohiya Park, and Jyotiba Phule Park in Lucknow.The deadline for online bid submissions is September 18, 2023, with bid opening taking place on the same day. Bidders are required to provide an earnest money deposit amounting to 1% of the estimated project cost, which totals ₹575,000 (~$6,928).The anticipated project cost is ₹57.5 million (~$692,789). The contract mandates the completion of the project within six months from the date of contract award. The contract duration is set at ten years, with a three-year lock-in period following the acceptance of the award.The selected operator will install AC-type EV chargers for four-wheelers and AC/DC-type chargers for two-wheelers. Space for charging buses will be included at the stations, contingent on space availability and suitable access roads. Additionally, e-rickshaw charging will be permitted at these facilities.Bidders must have a minimum track record of completing at least two similar projects or providing services related to manufacturing and distribution for two similar works within the past five years. A solvency certificate from a bank or district magistrate, issued no more than three months before the bid submission date, is mandatory.Bidders must also demonstrate a positive net worth as of the last day of the preceding financial year. In the event of a delay exceeding six months in installing the charging stations after receiving the award, liquidated damages will be imposed at a rate of 0.5% of the estimated project cost per week, capped at a maximum of 10% of the estimated cost.It is worth noting that no subsidies for EV charging station infrastructure will be provided by the Lucknow Development Authority. Furthermore, the agency is allowed to procure power through open access from a group captive, third party, or power exchange, with applicable charges borne by the agency.Earlier in the year, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation invited bids for 58 EV charging stations spanning its 33/11 kV substations and DISCOMs in various districts, including Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Mathura, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Gorakhpur. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh has introduced the 'Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Mobility Policy 2022,' offering a capital subsidy of 20% or up to ₹500,000 (~$6,024) for the first 2,000 charging stations and the first 1,000 swapping stations, in support of EV infrastructure development.