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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
CMRL to seek nod for operating last-mile connectivity vehicles
: Chennai Metro Rail plans to write to the State government seeking permission to operate vehicles to improve last-mile connectivity at ten major stations in the phase-I and phase-I extension network. Barring a brief period before the pandemic when Chennai Metro Rail ran share cabs and share autorickshaws at several stations, there has never been any sustained effort to operate such shuttle services from the neighbourhood areas.Moreover, mini-buses are being operated only from some stations. Manystations of the 54-km-longphase-I and phase-I extension network are located on arterial roads such as Anna Salai, GST Road and Poonamallee Road. While this is beneficial to office-goers as the Metro Rail network connects many government and private establishments, commuters without vehicles struggle to reach the stations from residential areas. According to officials of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), they will write to the State Transport Department shortly, requesting permission for operating such last-mile connectivity services. 'We are going to ask them to allow us to operate these last-mile connectivity vehicles or shuttle services under the provisions of State Transport Undertaking of the State government. If they give us the nod, then we can go ahead with floating the bids for the project,' an official said. Ten stations, including Wimco Nagar, Chennai Airport, Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar East, Nanganallur, Koyambedu, Vadapalani and Washermenpet, will have shuttle buses if CMRL gets the approval. At terminal stations such as Chennai Airport and Wimco Nagar, the shuttle buses will cover a 10-km radius. In the remaining stations, they will operate over a 5-km radius. 'We are thinking of operating 8, 10, 15 and 25-seater vehicles based on the demand in each station,' another official said. V.A.R. Srivatson, a resident of Nanganallur who often travels to the High Court and Thousand Lights said, if people took an autorickshaw to the nearest station, it would certainly cost more than the metro fare. 'Additionally, not everyone can walk from their residence to the station as the streets are bereft of well-paved footpaths in several areas. In the interest of train patrons, the CMRL must resume last-mile connectivity system soon,' he said.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
EVs to get free tolls, ₹2 lakh subsidy, and highway chargers every 25 Km in Maharashtra
New Delhi: In a push to electrify its roads and reduce vehicular emissions, the Maharashtra government has notified its EV Policy 2025, setting an ambitious target to convert 30 per cent of all new vehicle sales to electric by 2030. The policy is in effect from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2030, and offers incentives across the EV ecosystem, from buyers and manufacturers to charging infrastructure developers. The policy outlines specific category-wise EV adoption targets by 2030, including 40 per cent for new two-wheelers (L1 & L2) and three-wheelers (L5M), 30 per cent for passenger four-wheelers (M1), 25 per cent for light goods carriers (N1), and 20 per cent for heavy goods carriers (N2, N3). Public transport electrification goals include 40 per cent for State Transport Undertaking (STU) buses and 15 per cent for non-STU public transport buses in six urban regions. To accelerate adoption, the government will offer purchase subsidies of up to ₹2 lakh per electric transport vehicle (M1), capped at 25,000 vehicles. For buses (M3, M4), the subsidy can go up to ₹20 lakh per unit, with a maximum of 1,500 vehicles. Electric tractors and harvesters will receive subsidies up to ₹1.5 lakh, with 1,000 units covered. All EVs registered within the policy period will be exempt from motor vehicle tax and registration renewal charges. Additionally, electric passenger vehicles will be exempt from tolls on major state and national highways, including Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Samruddhi Mahamarg, and Atal Setu. The policy mandates the installation of charging stations every 25 km on highways. All fuel stations in the state will be required to install at least one charging point. Up to 1,500 high-power DC fast charging stations will receive capital support of up to ₹10 lakh per station. Fleet electrification will be made compulsory in select areas. This includes 100 per cent electrification of government fleets, 25 per cent for aggregator and e-commerce fleets, and 50 per cent for last-mile delivery vehicles in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Amravati. The policy extends 'D+' category incentives under the 2019 Package Scheme of Incentives to EV and battery manufacturing units across the state. It also outlines the development of EV battery recycling hubs in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. According to the government, implementing this policy could reduce vehicular PM2.5 emissions by 325 tonnes and greenhouse gas emissions by 1 million tonnes by 2030. For real estate and infrastructure, the policy mandates that all new residential buildings must provide 100 per cent EV-ready parking spaces. Commercial buildings will need to reserve at least 50 per cent of their parking capacity for EVs. A Chief Secretary-led Steering Committee will oversee implementation. All relevant departments have been directed to issue implementation guidelines within 30 days of the policy's notification on May 23, 2025. The policy also outlines support for R&D, including the establishment of three Centres of Excellence in EV innovation, to be supported by a ₹15 crore Chief Minister's R&D Grant.
