Urban administration department (UAD) is to go on PPP-mode, once again, to provide public electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the state capital. In 2017, Bhopal smart city mission inked a INR 690 crore proposal for setting up for EV charging points with 120 smart street poles. UAD, BMC and Bhopal smart city officials are silent on the old proposal.
The situation was exposed during last years and mainly during the 5G testing in Bhopal. One of these intelligent street poles in New Market intersection, was deemed unsafe for use. The original proposal listed smart poles across the city to be equipped with environment sensors, EV charging points, surveillance cameras, digital signage system and WiFi access points. Bhopal smart city recently completed its eight year. But most of the facilities are yet not functional.
Another agreement with a public sector company was inked by smart city to provide EV charging points for its electric cars. It came about during the pandemic. Seven EV points were set up. EV points at MP Nagar, New Market, ISBT are all offline. One remaining at the Govindpura office barely works. “How office EV cars are being charged by car drivers, no one knows,” said a smart city consultant, seeking anonymity.
Policy-level clarity is needed for moving forward with EV charging in the city. First unified metropolitan transport authorities (UMTA) needs to be functional. Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) amended its Model Building Byelaws (MBBL) 2016 to include the provision of EV charging in buildings. BMC has to follow suite, experts said.
