Solan MC’s electric vehicles gather dust

Ambika Sharma

Solan, April 10

Even as the state government is laying stress on using electric vehicles to reduce pollution and make Himachal Pradesh a green state, two e-vehicles of the Solan Municipal Corporation (MC) are gathering dust. The Directorate of Urban Development had given these vehicles to the MC some years ago. They were used to collect garbage in the city on a trial basis.

Thrust upon MC

It is known that the two e-vehicles were thrust upon the MC without any demand and later, the civic body was asked to bear cost. Rajeev Kaura, Deputy Mayor, Solan MC

The e-vehicles helped in saving MC’s expenditure on fuel and other vehicles for garbage collection. However, now these e-vehicles are lying idle in the parking lot of the MC.

Solan MC Deputy Mayor Rajeev Kaura said, “The Urban Development Department sent the two e-vehicles some years ago, but later bills were raised for the same. The vehicles developed a snag after being used for some time and costs were again incurred on their repair. However, their use was later discontinued as their batteries went dead and could not be replaced.”

He said it was known that the two e-vehicles were thrust upon the MC without any demand and later, the civic body was asked to bear cost. Before using such vehicles, key issues like expenditure incurred on its repair and replacement of batteries from time to time as well as the availability of trained mechanics for its repair should be worked out, he said.

Since no such aspect was pondered upon and an attempt was merely made to ensure its purchase, the very purpose of using e-vehicles has been defeated, he added.

“With the state government once again encouraging the use of e-vehicles, it remains to be seen whether they are actually cost- effective for hilly areas. Though charging stations are being set up in every district, whether they will be economical in the long run remains to be seen. The hasty decision appears to be aimed at merely appeasing e-vehicle manufacturers,” said Mukesh Gupta, a BJP leader.

As garbage collection from 17 wards is a massive task, 160 persons are engaged in the job, apart from 78 regular employees of the corporation. It entails an expenditure of Rs 26 lakh per month, and includes door-to-door collection of wet garbage twice a week, and dry waste once a week. The waste is transported to a Salogra-based disposal facility, where it is segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste in 11 vehicles.