Over 50% of MCD-allotted EV charging stations yet to become operational in Delhi: officials

More than half of the electric vehicle (EV) charging stations allotted under the MCD are yet to become operational due to delays in obtaining approvals from the Public Works Department, officials said on Wednesday.

According to official data, a total of 1,047 EV charging stations have been allotted across the city, including 185 at the civic body’s parking sites and 809 at roadside locations. However, only over 460 stations have so far been made operational.

The officials said the remaining stations are facing delays primarily because of pending no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the PWD for roadside sites and disruptions caused by anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

“The major hindrance is related to PWD approvals for roadside locations. In several cases, permissions are pending, leading to delays in operationalisation,” a senior official said.

The official added that issues related to desired power load availability at certain sites have also contributed to delays, requiring coordination with power distribution companies (discoms).

Meanwhile, senior PWD officials denied knowledge of the pending NOC approvals referred to by the MCD, but said the department has been working on a broader plan to develop integrated EV infrastructure hubs instead of standalone charging points.

“We are not aware of the NOC approvals sent by the MCD. However, for a long time, the PWD has been planning against setting up EV charging units at isolated locations. Instead, the idea is to develop integrated infrastructure hubs where EV charging stations are clustered together along with facilities such as PUC centres, petrol pumps and refreshment areas, so that commuters can access multiple services at one place,” a senior PWD official said.

The official said several EV charging stations currently operate in isolated areas, affecting their utilisation.

“We want to push for sites that are better connected and part of a larger infrastructure ecosystem. Delhi, being the national capital, requires a stronger and more organised infrastructure push,” the official added.

To expedite the process, the civic body has written multiple letters to the PWD and moved a file seeking resolution of pending issues, officials said.

They added that fresh requests seeking approval for 241 additional permissions have also been submitted on the e-Office portal to higher authorities.

“In a letter issued on April 21, MCD directed public sector undertakings (PSUs) to ensure completion and operationalisation of all pending allotted sites within 30 days,” the official said.

The charging stations are proposed to come up at locations such as closed dhalaos, surface parking lots, and roadside stretches.

The officials said MCD is also planning to expand charging infrastructure to surface parking sites, while eight underground multi-level car parking projects are currently underway across the city, including in New Friends Colony, Jangpura, and Kalkaji.

Separately, MCD officials acknowledged that the corporation’s bicycle-sharing project has not gained significant traction due to inadequate cycling infrastructure, including the lack of dedicated cycling tracks.

“At present, seven bicycle-sharing clusters with 75 operational stations and around 114 shelters have been developed under the project,” an official said, adding that another e-cycle project involving 25 stations in one cluster is also planned.

The developments come amid the draft Delhi EV Policy 2026 mandating all new infrastructure projects undertaken by urban local bodies, including MCD and New Delhi Municipal Council, to be equipped for EV charging.

The draft policy also places responsibility on civic and land-owning agencies to identify suitable land parcels periodically for setting up public charging and battery swapping stations and to support their implementation.