In the industrial hub of Baddi, India, the air is heavy, thick, and choking. The once crisp mountain air of Himachal Pradesh has been gradually displaced by a suffocating cloud of smoke, dust, and chemical fumes. As one walks through the region, the acrid smell of burning fuel and the unmistakable pungent bite of industrial waste hangs in the air. The quiet menace of environmental pollution has slowly crept into each and every breath of air inhaled in this erstwhile pristine corner. Baddi – the economic backbone of Himachal Pradesh, which gives employment to thousands, is reeling under a serious environmental crisis.

The Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) Corridor is Asia’s largest pharmaceutical hub, accounting for a whopping ₹60,000 crore to the economy of Himachal Pradesh each year. Home to multinational manufacturing companies and critical supply chains, the corridor is an industrial backbone for the state. The corridor supports over 20,000 registered freight vehicles, with a substantial number of additional freight and other vehicles operating daily. This high traffic flow, coupled with rapid industrialisation, has raised concerns over environmental sustainability, particularly regarding air quality and infrastructure strains.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Sensitization Workshop

To address this growing concern, industrialists, administrative officials, environmentalists,  and business leaders came together for an important conversation—one that could shape the future of transportation in the region.

As a part of its ongoing project titled “Supporting Himachal Pradesh to Improve Cities Readiness and Capacity to Accelerate E-Mobility Adoption at Local Level”, ICLEI South Asia, along with the Directorate of Transport Shimla, Regional Transport Office (RTO) Baddi, in collaboration with the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA), organised an Electric Vehicle (EV) Sensitization Workshop on 21 March 2025— a first-of-its-kind activity in the region.

The workshop addressed crucial issues surrounding the adoption of EVs, expansion of charging infrastructure, and strategies to combat environmental pollution. It aimed at promoting awareness for EV adoption and its role in reducing pollution while maintaining the pace of the region’s rapid industrial growth.

Collaboration of Conversation Starters and Leaders

BBNDA CEO Sonakshi Singh Tomar, IAS, stressed upon the need for a better EV infrastructure, citing the high traffic flow and Baddi’s industrial importance. Representatives from ICLEI South Asia, Varsha Parmar, Arun Thakur, and Amar Kulkarni discussed the state’s EV initiatives, market trends for Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), and financial models for EV adoption. The team emphasised how the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India’s Vahan dashboard demonstrated that LCVs constituted a large share of freight vehicles in Baddi, thereby placing them at the center of electric mobility transition in the region.

Industry Leaders in Support

Leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Omega Seiki Mobility and Ashok Leyland showcased innovative products for LCVs and their related charging technology. These discussions not only highlighted the potential of EVs to revolutionize the freight sector offering environmental benefits, but also emphasized cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency. Electrowaves Electronics (P) Ltd, a state-based provider of EV charging solutions showcased their advancements in infrastructure, demonstrating the feasibility of widespread charging networks to support the growing EV market in the region.

For a Greener Future

Representatives from the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Industrial Association (BBNIA) and local transport associations participated actively, voicing their support for the transition.  Local officials, including RTO Baddi, Madan Sharma, STP BBNDA, Ganesh Lal, and DD Baddi Industries, Yogesh Gupta, all reaffirmed their commitment to advancing e-mobility in the region. Their collective efforts underscored the shared vision of a cleaner, more sustainable Baddi, where industry and the environment can thrive at once.

The workshop sparked critical dialogue, bringing industry leaders and policymakers together with a shared vision—making Baddi a greener, cleaner industrial hub through the power of electric mobility.