Open house: Does the slow pace of work contradict admn’s claims of green push in dist?
Amritsar’s EV rollout caught in slow lane
The collaboration between Adani Total Energies and Amritsar Smart City Limited to establish EV charging infrastructure at 18 strategic locations, including the culturally significant Ram Bagh, signals a visionary shift towards sustainable urban mobility. However, the sluggish pace of implementation sharply contradicts the administration’s lofty rhetoric of a green energy revolution. In a city witnessing a steady rise in electric vehicle ownership, the absence of accessible charging points risks breeding public disillusionment and stalling behavioural shifts. These are critical to clean mobility adoption. Infrastructure delay erodes both environmental momentum and investor trust. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of modern infrastructure within heritage precincts like Ram Bagh, requires a nuanced blend of ecological sensitivity and design intelligence—currently lacking in visible execution. If Amritsar is to emerge as a beacon of sustainable urbanism, it must move beyond tokenism. Swift implementation, inter-agency synergy and citizen participation are non-negotiable. Green mobility must be a lived reality, not a deferred promise.
Preetpal Singh Chhina
Delay a hurdle in giving green push
The initiative by Adani Total Energies and Amritsar Smart City Limited to install EV charging stations at 18 locations is a commendable step toward promoting green energy. However, the slow pace of implementation raises valid concerns. As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city steadily increases, the supporting infrastructure must keep pace. Delays in setting up charging stations create hurdles for EV users and discourage potential buyers from switching to cleaner alternatives. This mismatch between plans and execution casts doubt on the administration’s commitment to a sustainable future. A green energy push requires not just announcements, but timely and efficient delivery. Without it, the district’s environmental goals remain unfulfilled. Transparent updates, public accountability and quicker execution are essential to ensure that such projects truly benefit the people and environment. If Amritsar genuinely aims to be a green model city, its actions must align with its promises.
Tanisha Aggarwal
Project should help streamline traffic
Yes, certainly the slow pace of work is contradicting the administration’s claims of giving a green push in the district. There is a difference in statements being issued by the administrative personnel as the actual implementation is lagging far behind. Moreover, our city’s traffic police and administration are sleeping over the matter of a large number of e-rickshaws standing on lights, chowks and roundabouts across the city, which is causing great hurdle in the smooth flow of traffic.
Sanjay Chawla
Pay attention to infrastructure
The slow development of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is hindering the widespread adoption of EVs. Despite the push for sustainable transportation, the current pace of setting up charging stations, particularly fast-charging ones, is not keeping up with the demand. The snail pace of installation of EV charging stations belies the claims of the government and administration on sustainable push to adoption of electric vehicles up to 30 per cent by the end of the year 2025 due to the high cost of petroleum products. To give a push to electric vehicles, the Adani Smart City Limited signed an MoU to first install fast charging stations at all existing petrol pumps with adequate resting place for the public. Given the current global tariff scenario, the rise in prices of diesel and petrol is imminent, and as such, the only solution for economically viable mass transportation is electric vehicles. The government should pay more attention to setting up infrastructure for installing charging stations rather than giving a public push to the electric vehicles
Anil Vinayak
Spread awareness about benefits
Undoubtedly, the local administration often looks serious when it comes to adopting measures to encounter the problem of pollution like taking up tree plantation on a large scale. But such efforts of the administration are never noticed even if they are intended to replace the sources of pollution with environment-friendly green energy sources. The administration must spread awareness about green energy benefits among the residents by educating them in this regard. Further to bring down the high upfront costs of the EV project, subsidies, low interest loans and grants must be offered to encourage investments in green energy. The sale figures of EV in the city can only go up if the ideal number of EV stations is available in different locations of the city. To accelerate the pace of EV projects, a special team must be formed under the leadership of a senior officer like ADC to achieve the set goals under the favourable policy framework of EV projects.
MK Sharma
A step in right direction
As Amritsar takes strides towards a green future, the recent initiative by Adani Total Energies and Amritsar Smart City Limited to install EV charging stations at 18 sites across the city is a step in the right direction. However, the slow pace of work on this project raises concerns about the administration’s commitment to promoting green energy. With the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs) on our roads, it is imperative that the infrastructure to support them keeps pace. The installation of EV charging stations, particularly at iconic locations like Ram Bagh, is a welcome move. Yet, the sluggish progress on the ground contradicts the administration’s claims of aggressively pushing for green energy in the district.
The administration’s vision for a sustainable future is commendable, but the execution of such projects needs to be more efficient. The people of Amritsar are eagerly awaiting the completion of this project, and it is crucial that the authorities expedite the work to meet the growing demands of EV users. I hope the administration will take the necessary steps to accelerate the pace of work and ensure the timely completion of this project. This will not only boost the adoption of green energy but also enhance the city’s reputation as a forward-thinking and environmentally conscious urban centre.
Harmilap Singh
Delay gives out wrong signal
The ambitious project to install EV charging stations at 18 sites across Amritsar, undertaken by Adani Total Energies and Amritsar Smart City Limited, is a laudable initiative. However, the slow pace at which the project is progressing raises serious doubts about the administration’s commitment to promoting green energy. Given the increasing popularity of electric vehicles in the city, it is imperative that the infrastructure to support them is put in place expeditiously. The slow pace of work on the EV charging stations project not only hampers the growth of green energy in the district but also sends a wrong signal to potential investors and citizens who are eager to adopt eco-friendly transportation options. While the idea of setting up EV charging stations, especially at historic sites like Ram Bagh, is innovative and forward-thinking, the delay in implementation is concerning. The administration needs to ensure that such projects are completed in a timely manner to meet the growing demands of the city’s residents and visitors. I urge the authorities to take immediate action to expedite the work on the EV charging stations project.
By doing so, they can demonstrate their genuine commitment to promoting sustainable development and green energy in Amritsar.
Sarika Sharma
Charging stations not of much use
The existing EV charging stations are lying of no use because of multiple reasons. One such charging station has been installed at the Lahori Gate area. The footpath is high at the location and it is difficult for the e-vehicles or e-rickshaws to reach there. The length of the wire is short which can not reach the vehicle from the charging station. The people are also not much aware about EV charging station locations. There are only three or four such stations present at different locations. Nevertheless, the installing of new EV charging stations is a welcome step. Their number should be increased and people made aware about the locations of these EV stations. Also, the government should speed up the work as a delay only hurts the project.
Prathamesh Kumar
EV not at the cost of green spaces
The current approach of installing EV charging stations, particularly in green belts and historic gardens like Company Bagh, contradicts the spirit of the administration’s own green energy mission. While promoting electric vehicles is essential for reducing emissions, it should not come at the cost of Amritsar’s precious green spaces. Turning parks and gardens into EV charging hubs is not only inappropriate but counterproductive. Gardens like Company Bagh, also known as Ram Bagh, are lungs of the city and hold historical and cultural significance. These spaces are meant for public recreation, relaxation and ecological balance, not for vehicular activity or infrastructure. The administration must understand that protecting the environment is a holistic process. You cannot claim to be promoting sustainability while sacrificing trees, lawns and biodiversity to install charging stations. Instead, the Municipal Corporation and Smart City authorities should identify and utilise alternative vacant sites, such as defunct parking lots, underused public land or urban commercial zones that can accommodate EV infrastructure without disturbing ecological zones. EVs are a cleaner option compared to diesel vehicles, but they are still vehicles. Their infrastructure should be planned keeping in mind traffic flow, accessibility, and minimal environmental disruption. There is no justification for allowing cars to enter and park inside gardens, a practice that not only undermines the space’s purpose but also threatens its long-term ecological health. Green mobility cannot be achieved by compromising on actual greenery.
Kanwar Parmvir Singh
Give boost to infrastructure
While the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city is steadily increasing, the supporting infrastructure, particularly charging stations, is not keeping pace. The Smart City project’s plan to install EV charging stations at 18 sites is a welcome move. However, delays in execution reflect a gap between planning and implementation. For a genuine green energy push, infrastructure must come first. Without easily accessible charging stations, citizens may be discouraged from adopting EVs. Moreover, public transport remains heavily reliant on diesel-run vehicles, contributing to pollution and undercutting clean mobility goals. The government has proposed to introduce EV buses on city roads next year, which is a positive step. But there is a need for timely, comprehensive preparation, including charging depots, route planning and maintenance frameworks, to ensure their effective integration into the public transport system.
Gurpreet Singh
What’s the issue?
Adani Total Energies and ASCL’s project under RAAHI scheme has been planning to expand EV charging infrastructure. Around 18 designated locations for charging of e-autos have been identified, including one at the historic Ram Bagh here. ASCL is in the process of tendering for EV charging stations at 11 identified sites. However, the slow pace of work contradicts the administration’s claims of giving a green energy push in the holy city.
QUESTION for next week
The SGPC and Punjab Government are holding separate functions to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur in November. While the SGPC reasons that it is their mandate to organise religious functions, Punjab Government maintains that religion is not the domain of a single entity. What are your views on the subject?
Suggestions in not more than 150 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (July 31)
Amritsar