The Department of Road and Highway Transportation (MoRTH) has announced that all vehicles owned by central and state governments, including buses, are owned by transport corporations and Public sector businesses, more than 15 years old, will be deregistered and phased out, starting in April. 1, 2023. However, this rule will not apply to special purpose vehicles such as armored vehicles or any other specialized vehicles, which are used for operational purposes to protect the land country and to maintain law, order and internal security, the MoRTH Notice was more explicit.
This announcement is in line with the announcement made in the Union Budget 2021-22. The central government has adopted a strategy of ensuring that tests are suitable for personal vehicles over 20 years, while commercial vehicles will require testing after 15 years. The auto industry believes that this strategy of discouraging vehicle owners from using old and polluting vehicles will boost sales of new and cleaner vehicles, which will ultimately help the industry grow. MoRTH, in its announcement, also said that disposal of these older vehicles will be done through government-registered vehicle scrap facilities established under the Motor Vehicle Rule 2021. (Registration and function of vehicle scrap facility).
Also read: Here’s how to scrap an old car: Five things to know
This policy has been in effect since April 1 of last year. To encourage vehicle owners to stop using old and polluting vehicles, the central government also announced that the states and union territories will reduce the road tax by up to 25% for vehicles that are approved by the government. purchased after removing the old vehicle.
Union minister for roads, transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said last year that he aims to develop at least one vehicle scrap facility within 150 kilometers of each city centre. He also affirmed that India has the potential to become the car scrap center of the whole South Asia region.
Date of first publication: January 20, 2023, 09:24 AM IST
