Budget 2024-25 lacked 'energy' to meet targets; Some hope this time

THE 2024-25 state budget left some unaccomplished targets in the energy sector.

- BOSKY KHANNA @Bengaluru

THE 2024-25 state budget left some unaccomplished targets in the energy sector. One of the announcements pertaining to the sector listed in the 2024-25 state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah—to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations in the state—did not see the expected results.

Even as Karnataka, more so Bengaluru, tops the list of public EV-charging stations in India, as per the Vahan portal, the target to increase the numbers and set them up on highways, in public utility spaces and other strategic locations, has not been attained.

Officials in the energy department admitted to the lull and said they were taking a relook at their project operations. "Since private agencies are involved and land availability is a concern, we are repackaging the proposal," the official said.