The Odisha government is making strides in electric mobility by unveiling a proposal for 290 new public charging stations under the PM E-DRIVE scheme from the central government.
On 3 November 2026, the State Transport Authority announced this significant initiative, which will span across 13 major cities and vital highway corridors, marking a crucial advancement towards establishing a robust electric vehicle ecosystem in the region.
Directed by Commerce & Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, the second phase of this proposal focuses on key locations including Rourkela, Talcher, Sambalpur, Paradeep, Badabil, Balpahad, Brahmapur, Brajrajnagar, Chhatrapur, Jharsuguda, Joda, Kendujhar (Keonjhar), and Rajgangpur, in addition to national and state highways. Importantly, this plan encompasses 68 Wayside Amenity Centres managed by the Tourism Department and includes six priority sites along the significant Paradeep-Badabil industrial corridor and other routes.
This new proposal builds on the first phase, during which the Central Government approved the establishment of 170 EV charging stations across seven major cities, with construction already in progress. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been designated as the Project Implementation Agency. Prior to final approval, a team led by BHEL General Manager Shri J K Pattanaik will undertake detailed site surveys to assess feasibility and suitability.
Apart from the central initiative, Odisha is independently working on the establishment of over 500 additional EV charging stations, with 24 already operational in Bhubaneswar. Plans for further installations are underway at Atal Bus Stands, truck terminals, and various other strategic locations across the state.
This dual strategy—leveraging central support through the ₹11,900-crore PM E-DRIVE scheme, which provides significant funding for public charging infrastructure, alongside state-led initiatives—aims to greatly enhance charging availability. Officials stress that this expansion will alleviate range anxiety for electric vehicle users, bolster tourism, streamline industrial logistics, and promote wider acceptance of electric vehicles.
Odisha’s forward-thinking Electric Vehicle Policy continues to support this infrastructure initiative through financial subsidies and incentives for EV purchasers, which include purchase assistance and exemptions from road tax and registration fees (recently extended). Collectively, these efforts position the state as a rising leader in clean mobility.
Once fully implemented, the 290 new charging stations are expected to create a seamless network of charging facilities connecting urban areas, tourist destinations, and industrial centers, thereby enhancing Odisha’s role in India’s electric mobility transformation.
