Srinagar shivers at -5.4 deg C, records coldest night of season

SRINAGAR: With the mercury dipping further, the summer capital Srinagar recorded lowest temperature of the season at -5.4 degree Celsius on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.

- Ashiq Hussain

SHIMLA: The state government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two companies to boost green energy and e-vehicle infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.

Director of transport department DC Negi signed the MoU on behalf of the state government, with Rahul Soni representing EVI Technology and Avinash Sharma representing Jio-BP, in the presence of chief minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

CM Sukhu said that the MoU was signed with two companies to enhance facilities across five selected green corridors in the state and this initiative marks a significant step towards achieving the state government's vision of a sustainable green future.

Sukhu said that as per the tender agreement Jio-BP would develop the Mandi-Jogindernagar-Pathankot and Kiratpur-Manali-Kelang corridors, while EVI Technology would complete the work of Parwanoo-Una-Sansarpur Terrace-Nurpur and Parwanoo, Shimla-Recongpeo-Losar corridors within one year. Apart from this Electroweb Company would work on developing the Shimla-Hamirpur-Chamba Green Corridors. As part of the project, the companies would establish EV charging stations, way-side amenities and supermarkets at 41 strategic locations along these corridors within a year.

The chief minister said for e-buses, e-trucks and other electric vehicles the charging facility would be made available in these 41 locations. Apart from this, public amenities such as toilets and restaurants would also be established in these places and the companies would pay ₹75 lakh annually as lease money to the state government.

Sukhu said the state government has decided to make Himachal a Green Energy State by 2026 for which the government was developing the state as the model state for e-vehicles.