Kolkata police has recently decided to induct 226 electric vehicles into its fleet in order to cope with the rising fuel prices and escalating maintenance costs of diesel-powered vehicles. Reportedly, the proposal has already been approved by Nabanna. According to a report published in the Times of India (TOI), these e-vehicles will be taken on lease for eight years, which will ultimately help to phase out 200 diesel-powered vehicles that are around 15 years old. Moreover, the new electric vehicles are likely to be divided among the traffic, wireless and other units, with the traffic police getting at least 78 vehicles.
Kolkata police currently has 4,000 vehicles but regularly hire vehicles for special law and order duties. As per Lalbazar sources, the deputy secretary office along with home and hills affairs department has allocated a budget of Rs 8.8 crores for the purpose. Moreover, a government agency has also been induced for completing the tendering and procuring process of the e-vehicles. Along with this, an additional CP has been appointed for coordinating with various agencies, ensuring quick arrival of these vehicles, TOI revealed in its report.
Arrangements for the smooth operation of e-vehicles
Since each e-vehicle takes approximately eight hours to get fully charged, quick charging points will be set up across nine police divisions in the city. Kolkata police will first monitor the performance of the first batch of e-vehicles, following which a green signal will be given for extensive use of these vehicles. Kolkata police will first monitor the performance of the first batch of e-vehicles, following which a green signal will be given for extensive use of these vehicles.
Source: indiatoday.in
