Guwahati: A notice from the Road Transport and Highways ministry stated that starting on April 1, 2023, all vehicles held by the central and state governments of India, including buses owned by transport corporations and public sector organisations, will be de-registered and demolished.
However, according to the announcement, special purpose vehicles like armoured and other specialised vehicles employed in preserving law and order and internal security as well as for national defence will not be subject to the ban.
It read, “Disposal of such vehicles shall, after the expiry of the fifteen years from the date of initial registration of the vehicle, (should) be ensured through the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility set up in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility) Rules, 2021.”
After 20 years for personal vehicles and 15 years for commercial vehicles, the policy will require fitness tests, as promised in the Union budget for 2021–22.
The Center had previously stated that states and union territories would be required to offer up to a 25% tax rebate on road tax for vehicles purchased after the dismantling of older vehicles under the new policy, which went into effect on April 1, 2022.
Last year, Union minister Nitin Gadkari declared his intention to build at least one auto-recycling facility within 150 kilometres of every metropolitan centre. Moreover, he suggested that India might end up being the region’s main centre for automobile recycling in South Asia.
It should be mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the National Vehicle Scrappage Policy in 2021, claiming that it will help phase out old, harmful automobiles and support the development of a circular economy in the nation.