Amid growing concerns about the environment in the national capital region, the Noida Police has sought a fleet of electric vehicles for patrolling and other duties in city areas, according to officials.
Besides this, the police have written to the local authorities with a request for replacing over 60 vehicles with newer models, highlighting their dilapidated condition and maintenance costs of over Rs 2 crore so far. The commissionerate currently has around 400 vehicles, including those on emergency 112 service. The request to local authorities is for replacement of 66 vehicles which are in bad shape while the EVs have been sought from the state government in addition to the existing fleet. The commissionerate currently has around 400 vehicles, including those on emergency 112 service.
Police Commissioner Alok Singh said a proposal for introducing electric vehicles has been discussed with concerned government bodies and their approval is awaited. Electric Vehicles are the way forward and as a responsible police force we certainly do not want to leave behind carbon footprint. The EVs would be used for patrolling in urban areas and could also be put for other duties as suited, the Noida police chief told PTI. Electric Vehicles are the way forward and as a responsible police force we certainly do not want to leave behind carbon footprint.
Separately, he said his department has written to the local Noida Authority as well as the Greater Noida Authority for replacing a fleet of vehicles which were provided by them nearly a decade ago. Officials said the police have asked for replacement of a total of 66 vehicles which are older than eight years and most of them having clocked almost two lakh kilometers.
Moreover, the police have spent around Rs 2 crore in maintenance of these 66 vehicles which now frequently report breakdown and stay out of use, according to the letters. The vehicles that need a replacement include Toyota Innova, Maruti Gypsy, Mahindra Bolero. At least five vehicles were taken off road in 2020 while the rest are being used by the police in a poor condition, officials said. The vehicles that need a replacement include Toyota Innova, Maruti Gypsy, Mahindra Bolero.
