Kerala's e-mobility programme paves way for electric future

Fuel prices in the country might be going through the roof, but for the citizens of Kerala, there is good news. The state government is now encouraging the use of cost-effective, pollutant-free plug-in electric vehicles to say goodbye to expensive internal combustion engines, thereby preserving the environment. So, if you think gasoline cars are no longer affordable owing to the skyrocketing fuel prices, you can think of buying an electric vehicle, and the state government would be glad to help you out.

Titled the e-mobility programme, the government aims to fight pollution by rolling out the environment-friendly substitute for fossil fuels. As part of the campaign, the State Government Departments are encouraged to switch to electrical vehicles (EVs) from Petrol or Diesel cars which are taken on lease or hired for official purpose.

Recently, Tata Motors has delivered the first lot of 65 EVs to the motor vehicle department of Kerala as part of 'Safe Kerala' road safety initiative rolled out in connection with e-mobility project. Of the 60, the Indian automobile giant has handed over 45 Nexons to the state, and the remaining will be handed over soon. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) are part of the venture.

Kerala, an ecologically sensitivities state with biodiversity and tourist attractions, wants to maintain its ecological features and ensure a sustainable development for its people. With the first-of-its-kind initiative, Kerala looks to switch to electric vehicles as a natural choice in line with its developmental ambitions. ANERT will unveil e-vehicles and charging stations across the state to achieve the e-mobility goal.

Neem-G electric auto

The state will export Kerala Neem G auto rickshaws, made by public-run Kerala Automobiles Limited (KAL), to Nepal. In future, the state is planning to sell the autos to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kenya. It has shipped the first batch of the 25 eco-friendly electric vehicles to Nepal from the KAL plant at Aralumoodu, near Thiruvananthapuram. The battery was made using the German technology and can be charged in three hours and 55 minutes. The auto can be using a three-pin plug in households too.

E-autos to mothers of differently abled

In a recent Facebook post, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced free e-autos to the mothers of the differently abled people belonging to poor financial backgrounds in the state. In the first phase, two vehicles each will be distributed in all the districts.

Comments

Thanks to LDF Govt, Kerala is a Gawking-Wage free state

The past five years saw the Kerala Government showcase the courage to act on sensitive issues that led to frequent conflicts in the state. The ban on Nooku Kooli or 'gawking wage' has been one such measure that came as a jolt to trade unions who charged hirers for just looking while others worked. Making this obsolete gawking wage practice unlawful, the government made the all-important step to transform Kerala as an investment-friendly destination Nokku Kooli, which literally translates into 'gawking wage or fees', is a localised term used to refer to the money extortion done by organised labour unions in the state. Under this unwritten law, wages have to be paid to trade union workers for loading and unloading works carried out by other workers or by machines. This practice has received criticism from all quarters for its futility and senselessness, and was considered a product of militant trade unionism that often led to constant fights between workers and busines...

Under this govt, owning a house no longer a dream

Owning a house is not an easy feat. For many, it takes a lifetime of savings to build one while for others, banks can help out with home loans. In any case, the bulk of people’s wages goes into constructing a house. But, what about those whose dreams of owning a house are beyond their financial capabilities? That is where governments can chip in with financial assistance, and that is exactly what the Kerala government has done through its LIFE Mission programme. The kind gesture from the state brought back smiles to the faces of people who once thought building a house was beyond their reach. The state has, so far, constructed 2.51 lakh houses for its citizens who did not have any fixed abode for long. Those who meet the eligibility for the government assistance can avail the service by applying online. Under the programme, the applicant will receive Rs 4 lakh for a house, to which the Centre makes a contribution of Rs 72,000 in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) rural and Rs 1.5...

e-health proves this govt really cares for your health

Health has been a primary concern of human beings since time immemorial. Kerala has for long taken various measures to ensure healthcare for all – from kids to women to people of all ages. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that the e-health scheme– a health department programme rolled out in association with the state IT Mission– has been a well-received social objective in the state. Under the e-Health project, an ambitious programme implemented by the State government with the help of the World Bank, the government created an electronic health record (EHR) of the people and an end-to-end automation of all the government healthcare institutions along with the integration of an electronic demographic database. A first-of-its-kind initiative, the comprehensive health scheme digitised all government hospitals in the state and then created an integrated healthcare cloud containing healthcare records of all Kerala citizens. Records showed that the project has been a g...

Kerala Forward

Search This Blog