Odisha seeks 190 EV charging stations in six cities under PM E‑Drive scheme

The Odisha government has requested the central government to establish 190 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across six major cities. This proposal falls under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-Drive) scheme, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

Key Highlights

• Odisha seeks 190 EV charging stations in six key cities under PM E-Drive scheme
• Proposal submitted to Ministry of Heavy Industries for infrastructure in Angul Balasore Bhubaneswar Cuttack Kalinganagar and Puri
• The scheme allocates Rs 2,000 crore for public charging stations from a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore
• BHEL appointed as the project implementation agency with joint site surveys planned before final approval

The State Transport Authority (STA), operating under the Commerce and Transport Department, submitted the request to the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The plan aims to set up charging infrastructure at 190 locations in Angul, Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kalinganagar, and Puri.

Scheme Details and Funding

The PM E-Drive scheme, notified in September 2024, has a total budget of ₹10,900 crore. Of this, ₹2,000 crore is allocated specifically for developing public charging stations for electric vehicles. The scheme supports both upstream infrastructure and EV supply equipment, such as chargers, to improve the national charging network.

Officials consider a strong charging network essential for reducing range anxiety and encouraging wider EV adoption. The Ministry of Heavy Industries has appointed Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) as the Project Implementation Agency for the initiative.

Implementation and Next Steps

A joint team from the Ministry of Heavy Industries and BHEL will conduct site surveys at the proposed locations. These surveys will assess feasibility before final approvals and the sanctioning of charging stations.

A meeting regarding the proposal took place in Odisha, attended by Transport Secretary NBS Rajput, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, and other senior officials. The statement from the department highlighted the importance of the project for the region's EV ecosystem.

Once implemented, the project is expected to improve charging accessibility in Odisha’s cities. It aims to reduce range anxiety for EV users and support the growth of a robust electric vehicle ecosystem in the state.

The proposal is currently under review by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The final decision will follow the completion of site surveys and feasibility assessments.

CarBike 360 Says

​Once approved and implemented, the proposed network of 190 EV charging stations in Odisha’s six key cities will considerably enhance charging accessibility, ease range anxiety for consumers, and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across the state, reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to clean, sustainable mobility under the national PM E‑Drive framework.