A total of 1,25,531 electric vehicles, including battery-operated ones, were registered in Bengal till Dec 2024, signalling a growing shift towards greener transportation. Additionally, 3,411 CNG vehicles were registered, reflecting a broader effort to reduce carbon footprint, state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said in her Budget speech on Wednesday.

To further incentivise the adoption of electric vehicles, the state's transport department would offer reduced tax rates for EVs, making it more affordable for individuals as well as businesses, the minister said, adding the move was aimed at smoother transition to clean transport. On the environmental monitoring front, the state has deployed remote sensing devices (RSD) at various locations in the city to measure the pollution levels of moving vehicles. This data will help assess the impact of these initiatives on air quality and guide future policies to combat urban pollution.

Doing its bit to ensure eco-friendly public transportation, the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) has launched 120 electric buses across Kolkata. These electric buses are a key part of the state's vision to reduce pollution and provide cleaner, more sustainable public transport options. In line with these efforts, 84 electric vehicle chargers have been set up at various state transport undertaking (STU) depots, facilitating the adoption of electric vehicles and strengthening the state's EV ecosystem.

Additionally, 131 CNG buses have been procured by different STUs to further improve the sustainability of public transport across Bengal. These buses will complement the electric fleet, enhancing the state's green transport initiatives.