Efforts to enhance travel independence for women have seen significant advancements under the Chief Minister’s electric bike initiative. This program includes a proposal for establishing charging stations, with the Bank of Punjab tasked with setting them up. DC Lahore, Rafia Haider, reviewed the design and location map, prioritizing public areas like Liberty Parking Plaza for these installations.
However, DC Haider declined the initial proposal to place a charging station at Liberty Chowk, citing concerns over increased congestion and minimal public benefit from a roadside location. She emphasized that priority should be given to women’s colleges and universities for the placement of charging stations.
The private sector will also be allocated suitable locations for these stations, with a commitment to fast-tracking the approval process. Asad Zia, Head of Marketing at the Bank of Punjab, presented the charging station plan to the DC.
Recently, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the Chief Minister’s Youth Initiative’s E-bike program, symbolically handing over the first E-bike to a college student from Jampur. The launch also introduced the vehicle inspection regime for private vehicles and awarded the first e-loader rickshaw manufacturing license to Nawawa Mobilizers Company.
The initiative’s second phase will establish solar-powered charging stations in colleges and universities. To make the E-bikes more accessible, the Punjab government will cover Rs. 20,000 of the Rs. 40,000 down payment, benefiting over 8,000 female students who have applied for the program. Chief Minister Nawaz will also distribute laptops to students and a Rs. 25 billion scholarship program to support those who cannot afford higher education.
