Plan to scrap old, polluting vehicles runs into hurdle

NEWDELHI: THE PMO HAS ASKED THE ROAD TRANSPORT MINISTRY TO CONSIDER MORE OPTIONS AND INPUTS BEFORE PUSHING THE POLICY

The Union road transport and highways ministry’s ambitious vehicle scrapping policy, which proposed a mandatory cap of 20 years on the life of all commercial vehicles beginning 2020, has hit a roadblock. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has directed the ministry to take a host of measures, including more active consultations with states, before implementing the policy, three officials familiar with the matter said.

The policy, which was aimed at reducing pollution, was welcomed by vehicle makers as it meant more sales for them.

The PMO on July 9 returned the cabinet note sent by the ministry with a slew of directions, one of the officials said on condition of anonymity. The ministry had sent the cabinet note to the PMO on June 11, the official said.

Besides asking the ministry to consult the states on the “framework” of the scheme, the PMO directed that the scheme be made “voluntary” and “linked with incentives which should originate from manufacturers,” the second official said.

“The PMO has said the expenditure details of the scheme should be firmed up on the basis of incentives,” the second official added.

India has 700,000 trucks, buses and taxis manufactured before December 31, 2000 that contribute 15-20% of vehicular pollution, according to an analysis by AT Kearney based on data from the Central Pollution Control Board and Union road ministry emission norms. The ministry had expected 350,000 vehicles to be scrapped in the next two to three years if the scheme had received the cabinet’s green signal.