Odisha proposes 290 new electric vehicle charging stations under PM E-DRIVE scheme
The state government has submitted a proposal to the Central Government to expand charging infrastructure across 13 cities and various highways.
The Odisha government has submitted a proposal to the Central Government to install 290 new public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, according to Kalinga TV and Pragativadi.
The second phase of the scheme targets 13 major cities, including Rourkela, Talcher, Sambalpur, Paradip, Barbil, Belpahada, Brahmapur, Brajarajnagar, Chhatrapur, Jharsuguda, Joda, Kendujhar, and Rajgangpur, as well as national and state highways.
The proposal includes 68 Wayside Amenity Centres under the Tourism Department and key sites along highways, such as the Paradip-Badabil corridor.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been engaged as the project implementation agency. An expert team led by BHEL General Manager J.K. Pattnaik will conduct field surveys to assess the viability of the locations before final approval is granted.
Under the direction of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, the State Commerce and Transport Department is also working to set up over 500 additional EV charging stations. Currently, 24 charging stations are operational in Bhubaneswar.
The state is also providing financial incentives to consumers under its Electric Vehicle Policy to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles.