||Black and White Digital News ||

||September 11,2024||

The Indian government is revisiting its vehicle scrappage policy to prioritize pollution levels rather than the age of vehicles, aiming to promote environmentally responsible practices. This shift comes in response to public concerns that well-maintained older vehicles, which meet emission standards, should not be automatically scrapped after 15 years.

Current Vehicle Scrappage Policy:

As it stands, vehicles over 15 years old are typically targeted for scrappage due to concerns about their environmental impact and fuel efficiency. However, this policy has drawn criticism, especially from vehicle owners who argue that age alone should not determine whether a vehicle is scrapped, particularly if it is well-maintained and compliant with pollution standards.

Key Announcement:

Speaking at the annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Anurag Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, outlined the government’s plan to move away from an age-based scrappage policy. He emphasized that vehicle scrappage should instead be based on emissions and pollution control. Jain remarked, “We are studying it from the pollution point of view only.”

He further suggested that vehicles from older emission norms, such as those predating Bharat Stage (BS) II or BS I, may be subjected to stricter pollution checks, with an emphasis on creating a reliable and trustworthy system for pollution testing.

Challenges with the Existing System:

A significant challenge with the current system, as Jain noted, is the credibility of pollution certification. Many vehicle owners are able to obtain pollution control certificates without adhering to genuine emission standards. Jain stressed the need for a reliable pollution test program that cannot be bypassed or manipulated.

He urged the automobile industry to collaborate with the government in designing a transparent and robust pollution testing mechanism, highlighting the importance of building trust within the system.

Support from the Automobile Industry:

The automobile sector has shown support for the vehicle scrappage initiative, offering discounts of up to 3% on new purchases when old vehicles are scrapped. This incentive is part of a broader effort to encourage the phasing out of older, more polluting vehicles.

The proposed shift in policy represents a more nuanced approach to environmental regulation, focusing on the actual pollution caused by vehicles rather than their age. This change could encourage better vehicle maintenance and longer lifespans for well-maintained cars, while still addressing environmental concerns. It also aims to solve the loopholes in the current pollution certification system, which has been widely criticized for its ineffectiveness.

With the government studying pollution-based scrappage policies, the automobile sector may soon see a more tailored approach to vehicle retirement. The focus on trustworthy pollution checks, rather than blanket age limits, could lead to more sustainable and equitable vehicle scrappage practices, ultimately benefitting both vehicle owners and the environment. The success of this policy will depend on the development of a transparent and reliable system for monitoring emissions.