Gandhinagar: More than 8,000 trainees of the Motor Mechanic trade in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Gujarat will now receive training in electric vehicle (EV) technology, as the state government has begun providing modern equipment to ITIs in line with the growing demand for EV-related skills.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday distributed 40 electric cars to ITIs from various districts at a programme held in Gandhinagar. The Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department has taken the initiative to equip training institutes with facilities related to the latest EV technology.

With the rapid growth of the automobile industry, the demand for skilled professionals in battery technology, electric powertrain systems and embedded software in the EV sector is increasing.

To ensure availability of skilled manpower for the industry, the state government has set a target to provide training in the latest automobile technologies to ITI trainees by supplying 40 syllabus-based electric cars to ITIs offering automobile trades.

During the event, the Chief Minister also inaugurated 50 Dhanvantari Arogya Raths and six mobile medical vans, in addition to distributing the 40 electric cars.

These mobile health units are intended to provide primary healthcare services at the doorstep of construction workers, labourers and their families, enabling early detection of diseases and helping maintain overall health. The Dhanvantari Arogya Rath provides treatment for common illnesses such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and skin diseases, along with basic injury care and laboratory tests including blood, urine, blood sugar and malaria tests.

The vans also provide primary healthcare services for children and pregnant women, and medicines are supplied free of cost as required.

The press note said that the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board currently operates 154 Dhanvantari Arogya Raths across the state, along with 25 mobile medical vans. With the addition of the newly inaugurated units, the total number has increased to 206 Dhanvantari Arogya Raths and 31 mobile medical vans, which will operate across 34 districts for the health protection of workers. DeshGujarat