Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has prepared a standard operating procedure (SOP) for establishing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across urban local bodies (ULBs), aiming to strengthen EV infrastructure, promote clean mobility and create additional revenue streams for civic bodies.
The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department, in coordination with the Commerce and Transport Department, has finalized the draft SOP to streamline the identification of sites, approval processes and implementation of EV charging stations in municipal corporations, municipalities and notified area councils (NACs) across the state, The New Indian Express reported.
Officials said the initiative is aligned with the Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy-2021 and subsequent government notifications designed to support the adoption of electric mobility.
Under the proposed framework, ULBs will identify suitable government land or land under their control for setting up charging stations. Priority locations will include parking hubs, commercial centers, government offices, markets and major transport corridors to ensure wider accessibility for EV users.
Before finalizing sites, civic bodies will be required to assess factors such as land availability, public access, electrical connectivity, safety requirements, parking feasibility and future expansion potential.
The state government has also classified EV charging stations as a revenue-generating infrastructure component under the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY), allowing urban local bodies to generate income from the facilities.
As part of the initiative, ULBs will be permitted to undertake supporting infrastructure development, including parking sheds, lighting systems, drinking water facilities, sanitation amenities and other site improvements necessary for operating charging stations.
The installation, operation and maintenance of charging stations will be carried out by agencies selected through a competitive tendering process in accordance with provisions of the state’s EV policy. These agencies will be responsible for managing the charging infrastructure and sharing a portion of the revenue with the respective urban local bodies.
The move is expected to support Odisha’s transition towards cleaner transportation while helping urban local bodies diversify revenue sources and improve public infrastructure across cities and towns.
