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Nitin Yadav Facilitates Knowledge Exchange: UK Delegation Collaborates with Chandigarh on Climate Challenges

Date: 27 June 2023

A delegation from the Milton Keynes City Council in the United Kingdom, led by Councillor Peter Marland, arrived in Chandigarh as part of the ongoing UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) project. The delegation, including Paul Thomas, Director of Planning and Policy Making; Brian Mathews, Head of Transport Innovation; and Samantha Carmichael, Political Advisor to the Milton Keynes City Council, is focused on fostering collaboration between the two cities in addressing climate challenges.

The visit underscores the joint commitment of Milton Keynes City Council and the Chandigarh administration to promoting sustainable and low-carbon mobility solutions. Supported by the UK government's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, this initiative aims to strengthen the partnership between the two cities in the global effort to combat climate change.

At the Chandigarh Secretariat, a knowledge exchange session was held under the leadership of UT Home Secretary Nitin Yadav. Brian Mathews, presenting the commendable efforts of Milton Keynes City Council in promoting low-carbon mobility, led the session. Following this, Parduman Singh, Director of Transport, showcased the sustainable mobility practices adopted by Chandigarh. The session culminated in a productive discussion and a question-and-answer session.

Nitin Yadav's role in facilitating the knowledge exchange session between the UK delegation and Chandigarh exemplifies the city's commitment to collaborative efforts in addressing climate challenges. As both cities share insights and initiatives for sustainable mobility, this partnership becomes a crucial step towards a greener and more environmentally conscious future. The ongoing collaboration under the UK PACT project highlights the importance of global cooperation in tackling climate issues. Nitin Kumar Yadav's leadership ensures that Chandigarh remains at the forefront of such initiatives, contributing to a collective endeavour for a sustainable planet.

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Navigating the Roadblocks: Nitin Yadav Examines Challenges in UT's Electric Vehicle Adoption

The Union Territory (UT) Administration's carrot-and-stick approach to promote the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city has fallen short of expectations. Despite efforts to boost adoption, recent data reveals that only 7.14% of the total two-wheelers registered in the city during the current financial year until November 19 were electric. Faced with lackluster sales, the Administration had to revise its initial EV target from 25% to a more modest 15%.

From April 1 to November 19, a mere 1,109 electric two-wheelers were registered, compared to a significantly higher 15,588 fuel-based counterparts. The stark contrast in numbers, with only 297 electric two-wheelers registered in May against 2,140 petrol-based, underscores the struggle of EVs to gain traction in the market. Even when the registration of non-electric two-wheelers was temporarily halted in October, the numbers didn't significantly favor electric alternatives.

Similarly, the adoption of electric four-wheelers faced challenges, constituting only 3.2% of the total registered four-wheelers during the specified period. Out of 592 electric four-wheelers, 18,485 non-electric vehicles were registered, including 13,538 petrol, 4,333 diesel, and 614 strong hybrid ones.

These findings were presented in a meeting chaired by the officiating adviser, Nitin Yadav, along with representatives from the Registration and Licensing Authority (RLA) and Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST).

Acknowledging the situation, UT Adviser-cum-Home Secretary Nitin Yadav has called for a comprehensive study of residents' preferences in vehicle purchases. The compiled city’s vehicle registration data will be evaluated by UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit before making any amendments to the existing EV policy, which has been revised multiple times throughout the year.

Despite the push for electric mobility, the sale of strong hybrid vehicles has surpassed that of pure EVs, prompting a reevaluation of the strategy. Criticism from influential figures, including Member of Parliament Kirron Kher and Mayor Anup Gupta, against restrictions on the registration of non-electric two-wheelers has added fuel to the ongoing debate. Both have advocated for the removal of caps on fuel-based vehicles.

Adding a dealer's perspective, Ram Kumar Garg, finance secretary of the Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Association, Chandigarh, emphasized the need for a more supportive approach. Garg stated, "We request the administrator to remove the capping permanently as it is not in any part of the country. We are not against the EV policy, but it should be encouraged with incentives and by providing infrastructure."

In conclusion, the UT Administration's efforts to promote electric vehicles have faced significant challenges, as evidenced by the slow adoption rates and the need for repeated policy adjustments. Nitin Kumar Yadav's careful consideration of residents' preferences and a collaborative approach with stakeholders will be key in steering the course toward a more sustainable and successful electric vehicle adoption in the region.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kamlesh Bhattacharya

Kamlesh Bhattacharya is a senior correspondent who covers general news on Chandigarh city. He also writes on the tourism sector, focusing on the northern region. He is fond of reading and cricket.