The Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Heavy Industries convened on March 19, 2025, under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy. The meeting focused on two key areas: Manufacturing of Heavy Electrical Equipment and Encouragement of Electric Vehicles (EVs). It was attended by Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Steel, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, senior ministry officials, and representatives from NITI Aayog.
Encouraging Electric Vehicles: A Key Government Priority
A major focus of the discussion was boosting electric mobility in India. The Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening EV adoption and manufacturing, positioning India as a global leader in the electric mobility sector. He emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is making remarkable progress in its “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision, aiming to become a global industrial powerhouse.
Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries, reiterated that the transition to electric mobility is a priority. He stated that several government schemes have been introduced to ensure this shift is smooth, sustainable, and inclusive. These include:
- FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles): Over 7,400 electric buses have been sanctioned, significantly improving urban transport sustainability.
- PLI Scheme for Automotive & Advanced Chemistry Cells: With an outlay of ₹25,938 crore, this scheme promotes local EV and component manufacturing.
- PM E-DRIVE Scheme: Allocated ₹10,900 crore, this program fosters EV adoption while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars (SMEC): Aimed at attracting global EV manufacturers, enhancing India’s role as a major EV production hub.
- PM e-Bus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism: This initiative ensures financial security for public transport electrification, making urban mobility more sustainable.
- Growth of the Indian EV Market
India’s automotive industry is crucial to its economy, contributing 6.8% of GDP and employing nearly 30 million people. The government’s sustained efforts have resulted in rapid EV adoption, with 19 lakh electric vehicles registered in 2024, a sharp rise from 15 lakh in 2023. This growth reflects India’s increasing demand for sustainable and efficient mobility solutions.
Strengthening Domestic EV Manufacturing
The Ministry of Heavy Industries is actively working to build a strong domestic manufacturing ecosystem to support India’s electric mobility goals. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has played a vital role in this initiative by contributing to renewable energy development in solar and wind sectors, reinforcing India’s clean energy ambitions.
The meeting concluded with a strong endorsement of India’s commitment to accelerating clean energy adoption, fostering domestic EV production, and establishing the country as a global leader in electric mobility. The Ministry of Heavy Industries reaffirmed its dedication to implementing policies that drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in the EV sector.
