The initiative will create EV charging stations and battery swapping stations on Gram, Block and District Panchayat lands to promote green mobility in rural areas and generate sustainable revenue for local bodies.
Taking a major step towards promoting e-mobility in the country and improving the financial strength of rural local bodies, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) to set up EV charging stations and battery swapping stations on Panchayat owned lands.
The MoU was signed on 30th October 2026 in New Delhi during National Workshop on People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2026-27 in the presence of Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh (popularly known as Lalan Singh), and Ministry of Panchayati Raj Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi. It was signed by Mukta Shekhar-Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Akhilesh Kumar Dixit of CESL.
CESL, an entirely owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under Ministry of Power, shall manage the technical and operational aspects. The stations will be set up in appropriate locations such as near Gram Panchayat Offices, State Highways and National Highways. The set up will cater to several types of Electric Vehicles including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, Passenger Cars, Medium and Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicles, and promote wide EV Network in rural and semi-urban areas.
As per the terms of the MoU, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will work in coordination with State Panchayati Raj Departments to locate and monitor suitable sites. CESL will manage site evaluation, demand pooling, equipment supply and installation, testing, commissioning, and operations and maintenance.
The collaboration aims to generate new and sustainable own source revenues (OSR) for Gram, Block and District Panchayats. The unused government land will be converted into productive assets. This would help local bodies generate sustainable revenues to be used for providing civic amenities, improving infrastructure, and strengthening communities. This also fits in with the overall vision of Atmanirbhar Panchayats of the Ministry, where Panchayats are made self-sustainable and the recently released Model Panchayat Tax, Rates and Fees Rules (Model OSR Rules).
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh has often highlighted the importance of improving own-source revenues of Panchayats to reduce dependency on funds from centre and make them eligible for performance based funding. During the workshop, he highlighted the need to work together to create strong and self-sustaining Panchayats to achieve Viksit Bharat 2047. The initiative will help convert government land into income generating asset by setting up EV infrastructure.
The project will help increase availability of EV charging stations outside of metros to overcome range anxiety and encourage usage of electric vehicles in rural areas. Improved charging infrastructure will also help reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality locally, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and create local jobs.
The MoU demonstrates innovative ways to improve Panchayats by working with local bodies to promote green mobility. It brings together the three objectives of strengthening Panchayats, creating sustainable revenues, and promoting clean transportation in India. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will work with CESL to find ways to utilise Panchayat level public assets to contribute to the vision of clean and green villages. The project was announced as part of activities under People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27. This looks to improve planning through participation, convergence of schemes, and capacity building for Panchayat representatives. Orientations will be held at state, district and block levels to help prepare quality Gram Panchayat Development Plans. As India looks to improve electric mobility, this partnership will help local bodies play an active role in the clean energy transition.