Tripura is seeking funds from the Central Government to set up EV charging stations in and around its capital city.
Northeast Indian state Tripura proposes to set up four EV charging stations in Agartala, as revealed by the state government recently. The power minister Ratan Lal Nath disclosed that a proposition by Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL), seeking necessary funds for the project has been submitted to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Union Ministry of Power.
Currently, Tripura lacks public-access electric vehicle charging stations. The planned installation of four stations in Nagerjala, Radhanagar, the TSECL corporate office (all in Agartala), and Chandrapur on the outskirts of Agartala will mark the state’s inaugural foray into this infrastructure.
According to state government officials, the project will function as a joint venture between the state transport and power departments. It will follow commercial standards to avoid overloading domestic connections.
The Power Minister exclusively told ANI that TSECL had been appointed as the nodal agency for electric vehicle charging stations in their state. He further explained that, in accordance with Tripura’s existing e-vehicle policy, the Transport Department would oversee logistical aspects like land and manpower.
Currently, the state has more than 100 registered electric vehicles (EVs), including some in government administration. Tripura had earlier implemented an EV policy in response to the central government’s directive to reduce carbon emissions. Over the past five years, battery-operated three-wheelers and modified pedal rickshaws with unauthorised battery modifications have become widespread in the state. The absence of charging infrastructure has resulted in higher power demands on domestic connections.
A TSECL official recently mentioned that similar to other regions, numerous companies were selling electric vehicles (EVs) and two-wheelers on a larger scale in the state. These vehicles were predominantly charged at home using domestic connections. However, due to the increased load, most power connections couldn’t handle it, resulting in added strain on the transmission system and causing frequent faults.
Ratan Lal Nath has further mentioned that both the state agencies are working ‘diligently’ on this project, understanding the importance of the current challenges.
