Scraping Policy: Current Discussion and Potential Changes
Current Policy:
- Delhi-NCR Rule: Petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years are prohibited from running on roads.
- Supreme Court Order (2018): The mandate aims to remove old and polluting vehicles from the streets to reduce pollution.
Proposed Change:
- New Suggestion: Union Road and Transport Secretary Anurag Jain has suggested a shift from age-based scrapping to pollution-level-based scrapping.
- Rationale: Vehicles that are well-maintained but older might still be relatively clean if they adhere to current emission standards. The proposal aims to address the concern that scrapping vehicles solely based on their age, despite their good condition, may not be the most effective approach for pollution control.
Challenges and Considerations:
- Pollution Certificate Reliability: Ensuring a reliable system for issuing pollution certificates is crucial. There are concerns about the ease of obtaining fitness certificates due to lax rules in some areas.
- Technological Advancements: With advancements in vehicle technology, scrapping vehicles based solely on their age may not be as effective. The focus might shift to vehicle maintenance and emissions standards.
Expert Opinions:
- Dhawan (Automobile Expert): Supports the change in policy, arguing that focusing on vehicle maintenance rather than age would be more beneficial for both people and the environment.
- Anurag Kulshreshtha (Road and Safety Expert): Advocates for uniform rules across National Green Tribunal (NGT), Central, and State levels to reduce confusion. Emphasizes that scrapping should be based on vehicle condition and emissions, not merely age.
Next Steps:
- Discussion Phase: The new policy is still under discussion, and no final decision has been made yet.
This proposed shift aims to make the scrapping policy more effective in reducing pollution while being fair to vehicle owners who maintain their vehicles properly.
