The Odisha government has submitted a proposal to the central government for establishing 190 electric vehicle (EV) public charging stations across six cities, the state transport department announced on Wednesday. These facilities are planned under the PM Electric Drive Revolution under Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme.
Proposal Details
According to a senior transport official, the proposal has been forwarded to the Ministry of Heavy Industries for setting up EV charging infrastructure at 190 locations in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Angul, Balasore, and Kalinganagar. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been appointed as the project implementing agency.
Coordination Meeting
A coordination meeting was held in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday between officials of the ministry, the state transport department, and BHEL to discuss the development of EV charging infrastructure under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. The meeting was attended by Amarendra Kishore Singh, Director at the Ministry of Heavy Industries; JK Pattanaik, General Manager of BHEL; NBS Rajput, State Transport Secretary; and Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner.
“The ministry and BHEL have begun conducting site surveys to assess feasibility before final approvals and sanctioning of the proposed charging stations,” the official added.
Current EV Charging Infrastructure in Odisha
Currently, Odisha has around 100 public charging stations set up by the state government across various districts. The new proposal aims to significantly expand this network.
PM E-DRIVE Scheme Overview
The PM E-DRIVE scheme, notified on September 29, 2024, has a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore, with Rs 2,000 crore earmarked specifically for the development of EV public charging stations across the country. The initiative supports both upstream infrastructure and EV supply equipment, including chargers, to strengthen the national charging network. This is seen as crucial for addressing range anxiety and accelerating EV adoption.
Expected Impact
According to officials, once implemented in Odisha, the project is expected to significantly improve charging accessibility, reduce range anxiety, and foster a robust EV ecosystem in the region. The development aligns with the government's broader push for sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions.
