Arai likely to divide PM E-drive upgrade funds among 4 agencies

The Automotive Research Association of India (Arai) is likely to spearhead the distribution of ₹780 crore earmarked for upgrading the nation's automotive testing infrastructure as part of the government's ₹10,900-crore electric vehicle (EV) subsidy scheme, two persons aware of the matter said.

- Manas Pimpalkhare & Rituraj Baruah

Being the oldest and largest among these agencies, Arai will formulate a plan to allocate the fund among the four testing agencies enlisted under the PM E-drive scheme - Arai itself, International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC), and National Automotive Test Track (NATRAX).

"Arai is likely to make a plan for the division of PM E-drive scheme's allocation, being the oldest and biggest testing agency among those empowered under the scheme," said the first person mentioned above, requesting anonymity.