Panaji: Goa govt will roll out a holistic electric vehicle (EV) and compressed natural gas (CNG) policy to cut dependence on petrol and diesel. Chief minister Pramod Sawant, who chaired a meeting on fuel management and sustainable transport strategy on Friday, directed officials to identify govt vehicles that can be converted to CNG, and to expand CNG station infrastructure across the state.Govt will prioritise support for rickshaw and motorcycle pilots to shift to EV and CNG vehicles, Sawant said. A senior govt official said that while state govt already has three schemes under which such subsidies are provided, these would be revised, and that the draft policies will be placed before govt for final approval.The new draft EV policy has proposed the same subsidy amount for two- and three-wheelers as in the old policy, but has reduced the amount for four-wheelers by Rs 25,000 (it was Rs 1 lakh under the old policy). A govt official said that the amount has been reduced because as per the new draft policy, every individual will benefit and there is no cap for subsidy.According to the new draft policy, the subsidy for the purchase of two-wheelers will be Rs 15,000, for three-wheelers, Rs 60,000, and for four-wheelers, Rs 75,000.The meeting also reviewed incentives for electric cycles, bikes, and cars; promotion of electric buses with higher frequency, fixed timetables and route schedules; monthly passes and subsidised fares; and better management of both electric and conventional bus fleets with a gradual reduction in conventional buses.The strategy includes expanding EV charging across villages, cities, institutions, hospitals, and other public places, promoting solar power to reduce diesel generator use, and encouraging eco-friendly tourism transport, a senior govt official said.
