In order to address various problems associated with old and defective vehicles in India, Government of India has started Vehicle Scrapping Policy.
Issues
Older vehicles pollute the environment 10 to 12 times more than fit vehicles and pose a risk to road safety. For example, an old BS-I heavy-duty diesel vehicle emits 35 times higher particulate matter compared to a BSVI vehicle.
Older vehicle are more susceptible to accident in comparison new vehicle. Thus, posing high risk of road safety.
The objectives of the policy are to:
reduce population of old and defective vehicles,
achieve reduction in vehicular air pollutants to fulfil India’s climate commitments,
improve road and vehicular safety,
achieve better fuel efficiency,
formalize the currently informal vehicle scrapping industry, and
boost availability of low-cost raw materials for automotive, steel and electronics industry.
Criteria
The criteria are primarily based on the fitness of vehicles through Automated Fitness Centres in case of commercial vehicles and Non-Renewal of Registration in case of private vehicles.
The criteria are adapted from international best practices after a comparative study of standards from various countries like Germany, UK, USA and Japan.
A Vehicle failing the fitness test or failing to get a renewal of its registration certificate may be declared as End of Life Vehicle.
Criteria to determine vehicle fitness will be primarily emission tests, braking, safety equipment, among many other tests which are as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
Policy Proposal
It is proposed that commercial vehicles be de-registered after 15 years in case of failure to get the fitness certificate.
It is proposed that Private Vehicles be de-registered after 20 years if found unfit or in case of a failure to renew registration certificate.
It is being proposed that all vehicles of the Central Government, State Government, Municipal Corporation, Panchayats, State Transport Undertakings, Public Sector Undertakings and autonomous bodies with the Union and State Governments may be de-registered and scrapped after 15 years from the date of registration.
The scheme shall provide strong incentives to owners of old vehicles to scrap old and unfit vehicles through registered scrapping centres, which shall provide the owners with a scrapping certificate.
