Battery-Operated Golf Cart to be Launched at the IIAS
SBI’s CSR Initiative : A Significant Step Towards Green Energy and Pollution Reduction
A formal handover and launch programme of a battery-operated golf cart, provided to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla, under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the State Bank of India (SBI), is scheduled to be held on 06 April 2026 at 3:00 PM at the Institute’s Ticket Booth premises. The initiative is being viewed as an important step towards the promotion of green energy, reduction of pollution, and the strengthening of environmentally responsible visitor facilities within the Institute campus.
It may be recalled that Professor Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director, IIAS, had indicated nearly three months ago that, alongside the expansion of visitor amenities, efforts would also be made to introduce measures that would reinforce the campus’s commitment to environmental sensitivity, cleaner mobility, and sustainable development. The introduction of this battery-operated golf cart is now set to translate that vision into a concrete facility. Apart from improving convenience for visitors, the initiative is also expected to contribute towards reducing dependence on conventional fuel-based movement within the campus and thereby help in lowering air and noise pollution.
The golf cart is being introduced primarily to facilitate tourists and visitors coming to the Institute. Through this vehicle, transport facility from Gorkha Gate to the Ticket Booth will be made available on a nominal charge. The service is expected to be especially beneficial for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other visitors who may find it difficult to walk along the approach road to the Institute. In this sense, the initiative reflects not only a concern for visitor comfort, but also the Institute’s commitment to an inclusive and environmentally conscious campus experience.
The programme will commence by a brief introduction on the utility of the golf cart and its environmental significance. Thereafter, the symbolic key of the vehicle will be formally handed over to the Director, IIAS, by the senior SBI officials.
As part of the programme, the vehicle will be ceremonial Puja by the Director, following which the golf cart will be formally flagged off. This will be followed by its first ceremonial run from Gorkha Gate to the Ticket Booth. At the conclusion of the programme, arrangements have also been made for the distribution of sweets and laddoos, along with light refreshments, for the distinguished guests, media persons, staff members, and other participants present on the occasion.
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study regards this initiative not merely as an additional visitor facility, but as a meaningful beginning towards a greener campus, a cleaner environment, and more responsible public infrastructure. The initiative is expected to make public access to the Institute more convenient while also contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive, and visitor-friendly experience within its heritage campus.
The Institute respectfully requests all journalists and media representatives to kindly attend the programme and provide coverage of the event.
