Pune, 3rd April 2022: Minister of Transport & Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of Maharashtra, Anil Parab flagged off the EV rally, one of its kind across India, organised at Sinchan Nagar (near Range Hills) today morning.
Pune Police CommissionerAmitabh Gupta, MCCIA Director General Prashant Girbane, and MIDC GM Marketing Abhijit Ghorpade were present during the flag-off ceremony.
The rally saw participation from 350 two-wheelers, 35 three-wheelers and around 40 four-wheelers, along with e-cycles, and e-buses, which included 1 PMPML bus and 1 Hydro fuel bus (from Sentinent Labs), and e-auto rickshaws. The rally covered 28 kilometres. The EV rally started from Sinchan Nagar ground and headed towards Empress Garden for its first pit stop.
The designated route for the rally was Empress Garden, MG Road, Pune Regional Transport (RTO), College of Engineering Pune (COEP), Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road, Fergusson College (FC) Road, Model Colony, Deep Bungalow Chowk, Om Super
Market, ICC Trade Towers (MCCIA office), Savitribai Phule Pune University and back to Sinchan Nagar ground.
The entire rally route was equipped with water points, a pit crew, ambulances, along with Pune police and RTO officials deputed at various locations.
In his speech, minister Parab said, “On the backdrop of climate change, the Government of Maharashtra has brought out the green mobility and e-vehicles policy. The transition from traditional ICE vehicles to EVs is not easy. All stakeholders in society need to cooperate and participate to create awareness
about the advantages of e-vehicles. Today’s EV rally is a part of this initiative and through such events, awareness about EVs will reach all citizens. The Government of Maharashtra is taking necessary steps to build infrastructure for EVs and I am confident that Maharashtra will lead the way in green mobility and e-mobility.”
Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta said, “India is leapfrogging in EV adoption. We are at a critical mass and simultaneously the charging and battery technology is evolving. I am confident that if we can achieve a range of 700 kilometres in a single charge, then ICE vehicles will be a thing of the past.”
MIDC GM Marketing Abhijit Ghorpade said, “Climate Change is undoubtedly the greatest challenge faced by mankind in the 21st century. Of all the factors responsible for climate change, vehicular emission is one of the largest contributors to carbon emission. As a part of the Government of Maharashtra’s initiative toward green mobility, MIDC, MPCB in association with MCCIA has organised the EV exhibition. Participation of 350 plus e-vehicles in this rally will virtually bring electric mobility to the doorstep of Punekars. Though the rally was 28 kms long, it will go a long way to build public awareness regarding the environment, climate change and e-mobility.”
MCCIA DG Prashant Girbane said, “Pune is a city well-known for its auto industry. As the auto industry is going through a paradigm shift, the Pune AFC could help shape this transition. The EV rally is a very important component of Pune AFC, as it would create awareness of the alternate fuel vehicles among the masses. We are so glad to see hundreds of participants in this rally.”
The EV exhibition at Sinchan Nagar will remain open from 11 am to 8 pm for all citizens on April 3, 4 and 5.
Source: punekarnews.in
