Bombay HC Mandates EV Charging Infrastructure in Housing Societies

The Bombay High Court has recently directed the Maharashtra State Government to establish rules and regulations permitting members of Cooperative Housing Societies (CHS) to install electric vehicle charging points in their respective premises.

This directive was issued by a division bench of justices including Justices Girish Kulkarni and Advait Sethna.

This directive was issued by the court after hearing a petition filed by Amit Dholakia, a Malabar Hill-based businessman, whose housing society denied him permission to install an individual EV charging point on their premises due to lack of a specific policy regarding the same.

In response, the High Court has instructed the Registrar of Cooperative Societies to finalize the rules and regulations regarding the installation of EV charging infrastructure within cooperative housing societies and issue directions under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act.

Additionally, housing societies will be required to amend their by-laws under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act following the upcoming regulations.

The Bombay High Court also pointed out that providing electric vehicle charging stations within housing societies would help tackle the city’s worsening air quality and reduce air pollution.

Previously, the Bombay High Court had also directed the State Government to establish a committee and conduct a study to explore gradually phasing out of petrol and diesel vehicles and transitioning to cleaner transportation like CNG and electric vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, to protect the environment as well as public health

Acting on these directives, the State Government has already constituted a committee to research, evaluate and submit their findings and suggestions within three months on the same.

In conclusion, this initiative marks an important step in shaping the state’s transition to sustainable mobility and ensuring the members of housing societies have the resources required to embrace this transition.