The State Government has formed a seven-member committee for fast implementation of electric vehicle technology in State and it has also to assess, make changes in Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2018. It may be mentioned that the Government of India has framed the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to improve the air quality of the country. Under this programme, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has listed 124 cities as non-attainment cities which have poor or moderate air quality. Of these 124 cities, 17 cities of Maharashtra including Amravati, Chandrapur, Mumbai, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Badlapur, Sangli, Solapur, Nagpur, Ulhasnagar, Kolhapur, Latur, Jalgaon, Akola, Aurangabad and Jalna were in the non-attainment list. To improve the air quality, the State Government is planning to implement electric vehicle technology and want to do some changes in the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2018. The committee will work on both prospects.
Additional Chief Secretary of Home and Transport Department is the President of the committee while Chief Secretaries of Urban Development Department-1; Urban Development-2; Energy Department; (Commerce Department and Transport Commissioner are the members of the committee. Member Secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board will hold the post of Member Secretary of the committee. The committee can invite any concerning experts for discussion and the committee will submit their report within one month of the issuance of the Government Resolution (GR). The committee will frame policy for purchase of electric vehicles for Secretariat and government departments; policy to spread awareness among people for purchase of electric vehicles in the State; Policy for installation of e-vehicle charging stations; and policy to use electric vehicle as public transport.
