Karnataka got three new wayside amenities (WSAs) equipped with EV charging facilities along National Highways during FY 2024-25. However, despite the recent addition, the State has only four such operational facilities in total, placing it well behind several other States.

The data, shared by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in response to an unstarred question on Wednesday (August 5), shows that Karnataka had no operational WSA with EV charging facilities before FY 2023-24. The State commissioned its first such facility in FY 2023-24, followed by three more in FY 2024-25. However, no additional WSA became operational during FY 2025-26.

While the addition of three facilities in a single financial year marks one of Karnataka’s biggest expansions in highway EV infrastructure, the overall number remains modest compared with several other States. Rajasthan tops the country with 20 operational WSAs having EV charging facilities, followed by Haryana with 18. Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh each have 10 such sites, while Madhya Pradesh has six and neighbouring Tamil Nadu has five. Karnataka’s total of four places it ahead of Andhra Pradesh and Assam, which have three each.

Meanwhile, in May this year, NHAI announced setting up more WSAs along key highway stretches in Karnataka. These facilities are planned along strategic sections of National Highway 48, including the Belagavi–Kolhapur, Tumakuru–Chitradurga, and Chitradurga–Hubballi corridors.

Nation-wide, the data shows EV charging stations have been commissioned at 84 operational WSAs. Of these, 83 were operational up to FY 2025-26, while one additional site with EV charging facilities became operational during FY 2026-27.

‘Planned at intervals’

Officials said that the WSAs are being developed through the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a wholly-owned company of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). “The facilities are planned at intervals of around 40 to 60 kilometres along National Highways and Expressways, subject to the availability of suitable land and economic viability,” an official said.

According to the officials, these amenities are designed to improve travel comfort and safety for motorists and truck drivers. Besides EV charging stations, the facilities offer restaurants, toilets, drinking water, parking areas, fuel stations, medical assistance and short-term accommodation.

On a question regarding the impact of these facilities on rural entrepreneurship and local economic growth, the Ministry said that no study has been conducted to assess the outcomes of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model adopted for developing WSAs.

Published - August 06, 2026 07:16 pm IST