OTHER CABINET CLEARANCES
32 decisions taken by Cabinet
Some key decisions include: Expansion of AIIMS, Delhi; fixing protocol for sale of “enemy property”; setting up of Air India SPV; soft loans to sugar mills to help clear farm dues; new Ordinance setting up New Delhi International Arbitration Centre; approval to Vodafone for ₹25,000 crore FDI; approval to scheme setting up ethanol blending project
NEWDELHI: In a bid to boost electric vehicle infrastructure in the country, the centre on Friday approved phase II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) Electric Vehicles (Fame). The scheme finally got Union cabinet nod after being delayed by nearly two years.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved ₹10,000 crore for the scheme which will be implemented from April 1, 2019 over a period of three years. The scheme is an expanded version of the first phase of Fame. This comes in the backdrop of the government’s aim to move 25% of transportation to electric power by 2030 in order to reduce air pollution.
The first phase of Fame scheme, launched in 2015 in order to promote manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology, was extended till March, 2019—it was initially up to April, 2017. The total outlay for the first phase was also enhanced from ₹795 crore to ₹895 crore.
Phase-II puts the focus on electrification of public transportation. “The demand incentives on operational expenditure for electric buses will be delivered through states/city corporation,” CCEA said in a statement.
In three-wheelers and fourwheelers, incentives will be applicable mainly to vehicles used for public transport or as commercial vehicles. The
CCEA APPROVED ₹10,000 CRORE FOR THE SCHEME WHICH WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM APRIL 1, 2019 OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS
planned subsidy support will be for a million electric two wheelers, 500,000 three-wheelers, 55,000 four-wheelers and 7,000 buses. The scheme also proposes to add 2,700 charging stations.
In a Deloitte report on India’s EV ambitions, the emphasis was laid on first bringing electric mobility in public transport to create an ecosystem. “Governments objective to reduce carbon emission by 33−35% by 2030 solicits emerging automotive technologies and alternative fuel, especially in the transportation sector is quite doable. The integration should start with metro cities,” P Pranavant, partner, Deloitte India said.
METRO PROJECTS APPROVED
The CCEA also approved Metro rail projects in Kanpur and Agra.
The Kanpur metro rail with a total length 32.385 kilometres comprises of two corridors and 30 stations with an estimated cost ₹11,076.48 crore. The Agra metro rail will have two corridors which will pass through the heart of the city and will connect prominent tourist places including Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.