Charging station with central funds: ANERT's efforts go in vain, KSEB given charge

KOCHI: Set back for ANERT's efforts to become the nodal agency for the state of Kerala in the central project to set up electric vehicle charging stations at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore. The state government has issued an order to make KSEB the nodal agency for the project, bypassing ANERT. Following this, KSEB submitted a project to the centre that includes more than 300 ultra-fast chargers in 100 locations. This is a PM E-drive project of the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries. The centre had suggested that the electricity distribution agencies of the respective states should be the one to provide the infrastructure.

ANERT had prepared a Rs 300 crore project with the aim of becoming the nodal agency in the state. This was a project that covered various categories, from government offices to private malls. With KSEB being made the nodal agency, ANERT lost its opportunity.

Central agencies to visit the state

Central agencies will visit the state in the coming days to study the project submitted by KSEB, including the PM E-drive. The KSEB project includes 12 mega charging hubs that can charge more than ten vehicles at a time. These will also include electric trucks, electric buses and cars with high charging ratings.

''It is a proud achievement for KSEB to be a part of such a big project at the very beginning itself

-Cini John,

Assistant Executive Engineer,

E-Mobility Hub, KSEB