Chandigarh: Chandigarh is set to get 15 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations after the municipal corporation gave in-principle approval to Chandigarh Renewable Energy Science and Technology Promotion Society (Crest) to install the facilities on municipal land across the city.The proposal will be placed before the MC general house later this month for formal approval. Most of the identified sites are located in paid parking areas and commercial hubs to ensure maximum utilisation of charging infrastructure.Under the proposed arrangement, Crest will conduct the tendering process for allotment of charging stations, while the MC will provide the land. The selected private operator will be responsible for installation, operation and maintenance of the facilities.“With the number of electric vehicles (EV) in the city increasing sharply in the past few months, Crest has assessed the requirement of new EV charging stations at multiple locations. The locations were physically checked and finally it was decided to give Crest the go ahead to install the EV charging station,” sources in the MC told TOI.According to officials, Crest conducted its own ground survey before proposing the new locations. The sites were identified after assessing demand and accessibility so that the charging stations could serve maximum number of EV users.Most of the proposed locations are situated near markets, parking lots and other commercial areas, where vehicle footfall remains high. Sources said the move is aimed at strengthening Chandigarh’s EV ecosystem and addressing the growing demand for charging infrastructure.However, the two agencies are still working out the revenue sharing model. Officials said the arrangement is likely to follow the model adopted for existing charging stations in the city.“As per the initial deliberations between the MC and Crest, the new EV charging stations is expected to be planned as per the previous model of understanding, where the MC will get the rent, and the remaining amount will be taken by the eligible company only, which will do the entire exercise from installing to operating and maintaining the EV charging station,” an official said.He explained that the civic body would only providethe space to the eligible company, which will be selected as per tender exercise for installation of the charging station. “Crest will work as a facilitator and conduct the entire tender exercise to select the company as per laid down terms and conditions,” the official said.As per MC records, Chandigarh currently has 36 EV charging stations. With the addition of 15 proposed sites, the total number of charging stations in the city will rise to 51.Officials said the expansion will ensure that almost all major commercial areas of Chandigarh have access to EV charging facilities, making it easier for residents to switch to electric mobility and supporting the city’s push towards cleaner transport.BOX: Proposed locations for new EV charging stationsSector 15: Parking opposite Patel MarketDhanas: Parking near gurdwaraMaloya: Near bus stand along Gaushala RoadSector 45: Parking in front of Mandi GroundSector 46: Parking in front of green beltSector 32: Backside parking of Nirman TheatreIndustrial Area Phase I: Bhushan ParkingSector 40: Parking along V-4 roadSector 36: Parking along Fragrance GardenSector 11: Parking near electricity officeFive additional locations are also part of the proposal submitted by Crest.
