According to latest report, the Central government has given a financial grant of INR 264 crores to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the FY 2021-22 under the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendation for encouraging EVs, reducing air pollution and implementing a clean air programme.
However, this year in March, the civic body has paid this amount to support the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking’s plan to procure electric vehicles (EVs) as its first instalment.
On the other hand, it has come to light that the civic body has decided to pay INR 940 crores over five years to help BEST reduce carbon emissions by converting the entire fleet of diesel buses into EVs.
Additionally, the funds will be used by BEST to build charging centers and other necessary infrastructure.
At present, BEST has 3,500 buses in its fleet, out of which 384 buses are running on electricity. The aim of BEST is to increase the number of electric buses in our fleet to 50 per cent by 2023 and 100 per cent by 2027.
Meanwhile, the BMC has also received a INR 300 crores grant from the central government under the 15th finance commission recommendation for improvement in water and sanitation sectors. The BMC has submitted a plan to utilise the funds before the central government for approval.
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