New EV policy to reform transport sector in Himachal Pradesh

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that a new electric vehicle policy was being implemented in Himachal Pradesh with innovative ideas by the state government so as to take steps towards reform in the transport sector. Agnihotri said that positive efforts would be made in the direction to bring radical change in the transport sector in the state for which discussions were being held at various levels to implement the new electric vehicle policy. Initially, the operation of electric vehicles will be promoted in the HP Secretariat and thereafter the use of electric vehicles will be increased in public transport services as well, he added. He said that a fleet of electric vehicles would also be inducted in the Transport Department very soon for which necessary instructions have been issued to the Director Transport. After discussion with the Chief Minister, the matter about the reform in electric vehicle policy would be placed in the state cabinet, he said, adding that apart from this, talks would also be held with the Central government. Agnihotri said that while strengthening the vehicle licensing system, appropriate steps would also be taken in the direction of setting up new driving test tracks to ensure compliance with road safety standards. He revealed that Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) currently has about 1,000 vehicles of zero book value and these would be replaced by electric vehicles in a phased manner.