To fight the raging problem of pollution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an innovative policy called the “Vehicle Scrappage Policy” on the eve of 75th Independence Day in 2021. For the first time, the policy came up in the union budget of 2021 and 22. India has pledged in the meeting of the ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’ this year to cut down its carbon emissions. India has voluntarily taken up the target of net-zero emission by 2070.
The foreseen effects of global warming are being felt by all for some time now. Countries around the world are taking stringent actions, and India is also one of them. The ground for this particular policy was prepared by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2015 in its landmark judgment, where it said diesel-run vehicles older than ten years would not be allowed on the streets of Delhi.
The scrapping of vehicles is a popular concept in the West. Grand scrapyards are a common scene on the sides of the streets. But India is not so familiar with the idea of scrapping as of now. We tend to use a vehicle beyond their capacity, which leads to severe air pollution. Internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, run by petrol or diesel, release carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals, and particulate matter in the air. The older the engine gets, the more it releases such polluting gases into the air. After a certain limit, combustion engines pollute more than it serves in terms of transportation. A policy like a vehicle scrappage policy is the need of the hour.
It is a policy to scrap old and unfit vehicles. The government will create infrastructure for automated testing of vehicles. This policy sets a deadline for each type of vehicle, after the expiry of which the vehicle owner should send it for scrapping. The limit is set for 15 years for passenger vehicles, ten years for commercial vehicles, and 20 years for personal vehicles from the date of purchase. The Indian government believes this policy will slowly phase out unfit and polluting vehicles. It will help India to meet its nationally determined targets for climate change. This policy will further be conducive to a circular economic model and create new employment opportunities for the youth. It is a progressive state towards sustainable consumption and responsible use of resources (as enumerated in united nations Sustainable Development Goal 12).
Although a detailed timeline has been given, the authority will decide whether to scrap a vehicle merely based on age. At the center of the scheme, there is a fitness test, failing which a vehicle owner would be asked to send his vehicle to a registered scrap yard.
Fitness test has been made mandatory under this policy. Each and every vehicle will need to have a fitness certificate to be on the streets. For the first eight years, commercial vehicles will need to go through a fitness test every two years and annually after the first eight years. For some automobiles, the fitness certificate will be valid for up to 5 years (personal and passenger).
A vehicle can be scrapped before the expiry date if it is deemed unfit. If an automobile gets damaged in a fire, natural calamities, riots, or any sort of accident, it might be considered unfit. However, there is an appellate authority. The owner can go to the appellate body to conduct a re-test. The provision for re-inspection and reconsideration after necessary repaired work is done on the damaged vehicle is given. If it passes the test, on new fitness certificate will be issued, and the vehicle will be allowed to be back on the streets. In case the vehicle is considered unfit even after the second test, the vehicle will be declared to have reached its end of life (ELV). Nonetheless, it is a voluntary scheme, and the owner will be asked to take his vehicle to a registered scrapping center. If someone chooses not to scrap her vehicle, extra taxes will be levied (like toll tax, green tax). The vehicle might not be allowed to run in some areas due to environmental concerns (e.g., Delhi).
The policy is not an abrupt one, and it plans to slowly phase out old vehicles. It will be implemented in two phases. If they fail the automated fitness examination, then the vehicles will be discontinued-
Yes. Vintage cars, signature models, and vehicles with high sentimental value or national value are kept outside the purview of vehicle scrappage policy. However, be will not be allowed on the streets for regular use. They are kept outside this policy to keep them in museums or showcases. They can also be allowed on the roads for special occasions with government permission.
Although there are certain challenges in the path of vehicle scrappage policy, it was a needed step to fight against the problem of pollution. After the United States of America and China, India is the 3rd largest carbon dioxide (CO2) emitter. Thus, the pros significantly out rates the cones in the vehicle scrappage policy.