The Punjab administration, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has increased the number of electric motorcycles accessible for students from 20,000 to 27,200, with a particular emphasis on female students.
An electric bike will now be available to all female students who apply, according to the Transport Department.
The Punjab cabinet approved the distribution of 20,000 electric bikes in March, marking the beginning of the project, which aims to give students, particularly those from low-income homes, access to inexpensive transportation.
The government has increased the number of bikes to 27,200, nevertheless, in response to the tremendous demand. This comprises bikes that run on gasoline and electricity to meet the various demands of students around the province.
A representative for the Transport Department stated that bikes will be given to orphan students for free, and the Bank of Punjab has authorized loans for 20,000 male and female students to buy the bikes.
More than 5,000 gasoline-powered motorcycles and 2,000 electric bikes have already been distributed, according to the spokeswoman, and the process is still ongoing.
All female candidates will be eligible for electric bikes, the Transport Department has stated, in an effort to support female students. These bikes will continue to be distributed, and 6,500 more electric bikes are scheduled to be released soon.
Two years of insurance and servicing coverage are included with every bike to guarantee the program’s dependability.
Over 15,000 students are currently on the waiting list, and they will be given preference when bikes are distributed in the future.
In an earlier statement, the Punjab Chief Minister highlighted the advantages of electric bikes for the environment and stated that their introduction was a component of a larger strategy to lower pollution. Nevertheless, issues like battery theft and low usage prompted the decision to offer gasoline bikes in addition to electric models.
Maryam Nawaz, a well-known political figure in the region, declared that the bikes will have a down payment of Rs. 25,000 and monthly installments of less than Rs. 5,000 in an effort to lessen the financial burden on students. The initiative formally launched in May, and a new program will be launched shortly to honor students who
