Nagpur Metro's much-hyped EV charging stations, meant to boost electric mobility, are turning into mere show pieces. Installed at 22 locations across the city to facilitate electric vehicle users, these chargers are largely non-functional. Many display blank screens or ‘Malfunctioned' errors, leaving commuters stranded.

The problem is widespread, particularly on the Orange Line from Rahate Colony to South Airport Metro Station, and also on the Aqua Line on some stations. Despite the ambitious vision, the reality on the ground paints a bleak picture of neglect and non-maintenance.

A visit by TOI revealed that nearly half of the charging stations at key metro stops — including Airport, South Airport, Rahate Colony, Jaiprakash Nagar, Ujwal Nagar, Ambedkar Square, and Agrasen Square — were out of order and collecting dust. Even worse, some stations are encroached upon by hawkers and vendors, further rendering them useless. "People are so used to these non-functional chargers that they have stopped coming here," said Rajesh, a fruit vendor near Ambedkar Square Metro Station. "Even if someone wanted to charge their EV, they couldn't," he added.

MahaMetro installed and commissioned a total of 22 fast and 42 slow EV chargers, all designed exclusively for four-wheelers. However, despite over 10,000 registered EVs, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers in Nagpur (rural + urban) — 9,000 of which are two-wheelers — there is not a single charger catering to electric scooters or bikes. This glaring oversight leaves thousands of daily commuters without a viable charging solution.

Sudhir Puranik, a two-wheeler owner, was seen dragging his discharged scooter near Jaiprakash Nagar Metro Station. "My battery is dead, and I have no choice but to push it home," he said. "The charging stations here don't support my vehicle. Even when I tried charging my EV car here once, the machine was dead. These stations are just for show."

Despite the push for sustainable transport, the lack of functional infrastructure is a massive roadblock. Currently, only 3-5 users charge their EVs daily across all charging stations combined, as per MahaMetro.

An auto driver standing at the South Airport metro station echoed a similar sentiment. "These EV charging stations have been in this condition for months," said Ismail, an e-rickshaw driver. "We don't even remember the last time they were operational. The charging stations for e-rickshaws are maintained well, but those meant for public use are always broken. Every week, 4-5 drivers come here, see the dead chargers, and leave disappointed."

MahaMetro signed an agreement with Ms Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) on December 31, 2020, for the installation of these chargers. The first unit at Airport Metro Station was made operational the same month. MahaMetro said that it facilitates these stations to promote clean mobility, charging a nominal INR 0.70 per unit as a facilitation fee, while EESL owns, operates, and maintains them. However, maintenance is a glaring issue, as several stations remain non-functional for prolonged periods. Monitoring and complaints are handled via the Electreefi app, but commuters say this has made little difference on the ground.

Without urgent intervention, the vision of an EV-friendly Nagpur will remain a pipe dream. For now, Nagpur Metro's EV chargers stand as silent witnesses to a grand plan gone wrong — dusty, broken, and utterly useless,