Governing Body Meeting of CREST held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, UT Chandigarh

5 Dariya News

Chandigarh 29-Jul-2025

The Governing Body Meeting of CREST (Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society) was held today under the chairmanship of Shri Rajeev Verma, Chief Secretary, UT Chandigarh. During the meeting, the official launch of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Portal – www.chandigarhev.com – was announced. '

The portal aims to improve accessibility and transparency for EV beneficiaries in the Union Territory by providing a user-friendly digital platform. It enables eligible citizens to apply online for subsidies under the Chandigarh EV Policy, track application status in real-time, and access a location-based map of all public EV charging stations across UT Chandigarh, integrated with Google Maps for easy navigation.

The Chief Secretary also acknowledged that Chandigarh has achieved saturation in the installation of Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) plants across all government buildings – a significant milestone reflecting the city’s commitment to sustainable energy and a low-carbon future.

To ensure the continued efficiency and performance of the existing solar infrastructure, the Chief Secretary directed CREST to initiate third-party audits of all SPV projects that have been operational for five years or more. These audits will promote accountability and long-term sustainability of solar assets.

Furthermore, he emphasized that technically innovative projects – such as SPV plants proposed over cycle tracks – must be thoroughly evaluated for feasibility, performance, and aesthetics, with close coordination involving the Chief Architect, UT Chandigarh. The Chandigarh Administration remains steadfast in its vision to transform the city into a model of clean energy by integrating smart technology, promoting renewable energy adoption, and advancing sustainable mobility.