The State government will soon announce an ‘Electric vehicle policy’ to facilitate production of the vehicles in the State and their mandatory use by all the government departments. Further, the government will increase solar power production from the present 3,300 MW to 5,000 MW in the coming days.
Minister K.T. Rama Rao shared this at the World Environment Week celebrations, kicked off on Friday near People’s Plaza, which he attended along with Executive Director, UN Environment Programme, Erik Solheim. Mr. Solheim and Mr. Rama Rao flagged off 20 electric vehicles of GHMC, one among which they drove to the State Secretariat. They also launched 100 Swachh auto-trolleys for garbage lifting.
Mr. Rama Rao said a total of 500 EVs will also be introduced in the State Road Transport Corporation during the first phase. He also mentioned development and beautification of lakes, Swachh autos for garbage lifting, LED street lighting, garbage to energy initiatives, water harvesting structures, and priority to public transportation while talking about the government’s environment-friendly programmes. Mr. Solheim urged for as less use of plastic as possible, and switching to solar power, instead of using diesel and petrol.
The 20 vehicles that were launched on Friday were given to GHMC by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a public sector undertaking, under E-Mobility programme.
The vehicles were procured by EESL and supplied at ₹22,500 per car per month to the GHMC, inclusive of maintenance expenditure. As a part of the agreement, EESL will also insure the vehicles, provide a comprehensive free annual maintenance contract for a period of five years and warranty against manufacturing defects, and supply and install chargers at GHMC’s Circle and Zonal offices.
Later in the day, Mr. Solheim and Mr. Rama Rao visited Bhagyanagar Nandanavanam urban park at Narapally, and observed the environmental exhibition, canopy walk, watch tower and other facilities. They planted saplings at the park, and released the book ‘The Flower Plants of KBR National Park’.
Mr. Solheim was briefed by Mr. Rama Rao about Telangana State’s forest cover, and the environment protection programmes taken up by the government here, including development of urban parks. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P.K. Jha, and other forest officials accompanied the duo. Mr. Solheim also met Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi at the Secretariat.
