Pune: PCMC’s Efforts to Combat Pollution Stalled: Charging Stations Still a Distant Reality
Pune, 21st April 2024: Despite the government’s policy to procure eco-friendly electric vehicles aimed at reducing vehicle-induced pollution, Pimpri-Chinchwad faces a shortage of charging stations. Although the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) announced plans to establish 22 charging stations two years ago, these plans remain unrealized. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Sub-Regional Transport Office reports 43,000 electric vehicles in the city, highlighting the urgent need for charging infrastructure.
To address this, PCMC intends to collaborate with private organizations to set up charging stations across 22 locations in the city. Under this arrangement, the organizations will bear the cost of installation, operation, and maintenance for eight years, utilizing power from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL). Despite PCMC’s efforts, the tender process yielded no responses for two years, necessitating multiple revisions to terms and conditions.
The proposed locations for these stations include various strategic points across the city, such as the PCMC Main Administrative Building Premises, Durga Tekdi, and Major Dhyanchand Polygrass Hockey Stadium, among others. However, the lack of response to the tender prolonged the process, leading to delays. Currently, three contractors have expressed interest, and the qualification process is underway, as confirmed by Associate City Engineer Babasaheb Galbale.
