By: Muzamil Bhat CK

Srinagar

Owing to the growing pollution levels because of the traffic on the roads in Jammu and Kashmir the commuters and the common people have appealed the authorities to ply electric vehicles in the cities so that the levels of pollution come down.

They have said in their appeal that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in 2019 ordered that all the states and UT’s should introduce electric vehicles in order to bring down levels of pollution but in Jammu and Kashmir the authorities have not implemented it so far.

Sources told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the concerned officials as well as the people are aghast as J&K administration has not allowed them to ply electric vehicles on the roads in Srinagar and Jammu since 2019.

Meanwhile, an owner of an electronic vehicle company told KNS that they want to introduce electric vehicles in J&K as Srinagar and Jammu are non-attainment cities and there is a lot of pollution in the cities.

He said that this pollution could be controlled with the use of electric vehicles which are eco-friendly and will lessen the amount of pollution.

He, however, said that the administration in J&K has not issued any permit for starting introducing these electric vehicles. “J&K is the only UT which has not implemented the order issued by the ministry in 2019,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, analysts in the know-how of the operation and importance of electric vehicles said that the local authorities are not following the MoRTH guidelines and not extending free EV permits, which otherwise will act as a catalyst in adaption of Electric Vehicles & also generate Self-Employment to local youth.

They said that it seems like the authorities are more inclined to favour the agents and brokers who black-market the Vehicle Permits.

“We all have the example of Delhi in front of us. The Air-Quality-Index (AQI) is so bad that its almost poisonous to breath in the National Capital. The Delhi has now moving aggressively after Electric Vehicles. The States and UTs like Chandigarh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat etc. already have aggressive EV adaption policies along with GOI FAME II policy to incentivise EVs,” they said.

They said: “We have to protect out Jammu & Kashmir to become next Delhi in terms of AQI & the journey shall not begin without the willingness and engagement of local authorities. We must have state policy and action plan for adaption of Electric Vehicle in J&K.”

They also recommended that there should be immediate deployment of electric vehicles for public transpiration like Electric Three Wheelers (L5) category. Free from Permits requirements. “Create dedicated ‘EV Only Zone’ to promote electric vehicles. Creation of dedicated EV parking spaces. Extend waiver in Registration fee & RTO charges for Evs.”

They also recommended for extension of special electric tariff and Sub-meters for charging Electric Vehicles and creation of robust EV incentive policy in line with GOI FAME II policy.

They also said that authorities should do mass publicity for Electric Vehicle adaption.

Meanwhile, a group of local while talking to KNS said that it is a good step by the central government as it will be environment friendly to use these e-rickshaws.

They said that this will also help in minimising pollution level and commuters may also get benefited as it will cost-effective.

They also appealed to the authorities to implement this order in Jammu and Srinagar cities.

With KNS inputs