Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqi today announced that the provincial government will give 10,000 electric bikes to university students in Bank of Punjab (BOP) collaboration. The announcement was made during an event held in Lahore by Punjab Transport Department. “The bikes will be given to the students to promote green transportation in the province,” the department stated.
Interest-Free E-Bikes
During the same event, the government made some other significant announcements regarding providing e-bikes in installments but without any interest. In a tweet, the chief minister said:
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- 10,000 e-bikes: Interest-free for students
- 2,000 e-three wheelers: Interest-free for handicapped persons
- 2,000 e-bikes: Interest-free for working women
- 10,000 e-Rikshaws: Interest-free for the public
- 2,000 e-bikes: Interest-free for government employees
Punjab's Green Drive
Electric Vehicle Scheme Details– 10,000 e-bikes: Interest-free for students
– 2,000 e-three wheelers: Interest-free for handicapped persons
– 2,000 e-bikes: Interest-free for working women
– 10,000 e-Rikshaws: Interest-free for the public
– 2,000 e-bikes:… pic.twitter.com/x0HKVevvft— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) January 10, 2024
Furthermore, the chief minister announced that from now on, every department of Punjab will buy only electric bikes for its employees instead of petrol ones. “We will establish charging stations at government-run parking stations in different locations,” Naqvi said. Steps are being taken to tackle the issue of pollution, especially in Lahore. During the same event, the government handed the first-ever electric rickshaw manufacturing/assembling license to Sazgar Engineering.
To make this whole initiative successful in the long run, the government needs to work hard because it would be consistency in policy, a strong infrastructure, and continuous availability of electricity. The country already has a robust EV policy; however, the problem is implementation, and unstable economic and political circumstances are the biggest hurdles.
The words are good, but action is essential, and time will tell whether this initiative will succeed. Providing e-bikes to students is a good plan because these bikes are low maintenance and easy to carry for daily commutes. So, let’s hope that the government fulfills its promises this time and starts a new era of e-bikes in the province.
What do you think about the government’s announcement of giving e-bikes to students in Punjab? Please tell us in the comments section.
Giving 10 000 bikes for what ? What about Ehsaas programme ??