SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARI LAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE EXPO NAVIGATING GREEN MOBILITY AT SECTOR 34, EXHIBITION GROUND,CHANDIGARH ON MARCH 15, 2024 AT 11.00 AM.

Electric Vehicle Expo Navigating Green Mobility (MARCH 15, 2024)

  • It is indeed a pleasure to be here today at the second edition of the Electric Vehicle Expo organized by the PHDCCI in association with Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST).
  • Ladies & Gentlemen, Chandigarh is one of the best planned cities in the country. The high quality of social infrastructure, larger green spaces and its compact size, makes it an ideal destination to live and work.
  • As the Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, I am glad to be a part of the tremendous strides being made in the city in the field of sustainable mobility, especially in the domain of electric vehicles.
  • Aiming to make Chandigarh a Model Electric Vehicles City we notified our Electric Vehicle Policy in September 2022.
  • As of now, 80 Electric buses have been introduced and 100 more are to be introduced shortly.
  • This has resulted in reduction of 5300 Metric tonne of Carbon dioxide emission by end of last month (February 2024). 
  • By the March end, all 53 charging stations will also be made operational across the city.
  • Under the Electric Vehicle  Policy we have released incentives over Rs. 17 crore to the beneficiaries.
  • We have the biggest Public Bike Sharing System in India which has resulted in reduction of carbon emission by over one thousand tones with more than 10 lac rides spanning approximately 41 lac km.
  • Resultantly, hundreds of litres of Fuel is estimated to be saved.
  • Besides this, holding this Expo for the second time serves as a testament to the commitment of our region towards embracing cleaner, greener, and more sustainable solutions for our transportation needs.

Friends,

  • In the midst of global environmental challenges, in order to build a sustainable future, the need for  electric vehicles is evident.
  • Our world is facing the consequences of climate change, air pollution, and the depletion of natural resources.
  • It is a time for us to rethink our approach to transportation and embrace innovative solutions such as electric vehicles.
  • Centre government under Shri Narendra Modi Ji has always recognized the pressing need to address environmental concerns and reduce our carbon footprint.
  • In this context, the promotion of electric vehicles is a key component of our strategy.
  • The future of mobility lies in embracing electric vehicles, and we are committed to creating an ecosystem that fosters their adoption and growth.
  • The electric vehicle sector is not merely a technological innovation; it is a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
  • By transitioning from conventional vehicles to electric ones, we are not only reducing air pollution but also contributing to the global efforts in mitigating climate change.
  • We understand the importance of collaboration between the government, industry, and academia in realizing our sustainability goals.
  • Events like the Renewable Energy & Electric Vehicle Expo provide an excellent platform to the stakeholders to come together, share ideas, and forge partnerships that will drive the growth of the electric vehicle ecosystem.
  • As we look towards the future, I urge all stakeholdes, including industry leaders, researchers and policymakers, to work hand in hand to overcome challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the electric vehicle revolution.
  • Let the transition to electric mobility be smooth and comprehensive.
  • In conclusion, I commend the PHDCCI for organizing this significant event, and I am confident that the Renewable Energy & Electric Vehicle Expo will serve as a catalyst for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in Punjab and Chandigarh.

Friends,

  • I have often said that the concept of ecological protection is embedded in our DNA from time immemorial.
  • We have traditionally revered and celebrated natural resources, including air, water, the rivers and the mountains.
  • But over the years, man has tinkered too much with nature.
  • So, now it is absolutely essential to encourage a sustainable pathway.
  • Gandhiji had said that “we should act as ‘trustees’ to our natural environment”. We must remember this and live by these words.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.