Vehicle Scrappage Policy – The Big Picture – RSTV IAS UPSC
In News: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the much awaited vehicle scrappage policy and said the policy aims to keep old polluting vehicles from plying on roads. There are 51 lakh vehicles in India which are older than 20 years, 34 lakh vehicles which are more than 15 years old and around 17 lakh vehicles older than 15 years, but do not have vehicle fitness certificates. Old vehicles pollute air 10-12 times more compared to vehicles that are fit, and also pose a risk for road safety. Both commercial and private vehicles will be de-registered after 15 and 20 years respectively and their re-registration will be discouraged. Owners of old vehicles will get strong incentives to scrap old and unfit vehicles. Further, the new vehicle scrappage policy will be a win-win proposal for the auto industry. The scheme would come in effect from April 1, 2020, coinciding with the implementation of the BS-VI norms. Salient Features Fitness Tests : The...