Vehicle scrapping refers to retiring an old or depreciated vehicle and disposing it professionally in an environment friendly manner. Scrapping old vehicles helps in reducing number of unfit vehicles plying on roads that increase pollution and pose safety hazards. It ensures old vehicles, that do not comply with modern emissions and safety standards, are phased out in a scientific manner.
Need for Vehicle Scrapping in India
India has a huge population of old and defective vehicles that significantly contribute to the air and sound pollution. As per government estimates, around 51 lakh light motor vehicles that are more than 20 years old are plying on Indian roads. These older vehicles emit much higher levels of toxic gases like Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Hydrocarbons etc and particulate matter compared to newer vehicles. Moreover, majority of such old vehicles do not comply with modern crash test and safety regulations. This poses huge risks on roads.
It has been observed that vehicles emit most pollutants in their first few years which then increases sharply with age. An ageing vehicle can emit 5-10 times higher levels of toxic gases compared to a new vehicle. Thus, phasing out old polluting Vehicle scrapping restricting their use can significantly reduce vehicular emissions. This will help India meet its national as well as international commitments for environmental protection. It will also ensure safety of all road users.
Salient Features of Vehicle Scrapping Policy
The policy aims to phase out unfit and polluting vehicles in a planned manner. Here are some key aspects of the policy:
- Commercial vehicles of over 15 years and private vehicles of over 20 years will be mandatorily scrapped.
- Fitness tests will be conducted for vehicles to check compliance with safety & emission regulations. Non-compliant vehicles will be scrapped.
- Scrapping centres will be set up across India that will have facilities and systems to dismantle and dispose vehicles scientifically without harming the environment.
- Owners will be provided a scrapping certificate on depositing their old vehicles. Monetary benefits will be offered on purchase of new vehicles against the certificate.
- Scrapped vehicles will be dismantled and various components will be segregated. Non-ferrous scrap like plastics will be shredding and sent to recyclers.
- Steel components will be sent to recycling industries to recover useful metal from the old vehicles.
- Critical components like engines will be refurbished rather than scrapped to extend their useful life.
- Stringent regulations are being implemented to ensure scrapping and recycling is done safely and doesn't impact air, water or soil adversely.
Expected Benefits of Mandating Scrapping
The mandatory vehicle scrapping policy is expected to provide significant economic and environmental dividends to India. Some key anticipated benefits include:
- It will help remove around 51 lakh polluting vehicles from roads. This can reduce vehicular emissions significantly and have a positive impact on air quality.
- Old vehicles consume much more fuel for same work due to technology changes. Scrapping them will help reduce crude oil imports and fuel costs.
- It will generate a lot of additional demand for new vehicles. This will boost investment and job creation potential of India's automotive manufacturing sector.
- Setting up organized scrapping centers will create new businesses and employment opportunities. It is estimated to generate around 45,000 jobs directly or indirectly.
- Vehicles have a lot of steel and metal content. Effective recycling will help boost secondary steel production reducing India's import dependency.
- Scrapped vehicles provide critical raw materials for industries. Recycling components will supply materials for manufacturing new products to create a circular economy.
- Most importantly, it will enhance road safety as unfit vehicles failing to meet modern standards will be taken off roads after policy implementation.
Challenges in Implementing Vehicle Scrapping Policy
However, implementing the mandatory vehicle scrapping policy on ground poses some challenges:
- Setting up vehicle scrapping centers as per standards across country requires massive investments and time. Presently, scrapping infrastructure in India is limited.
- Absence of widespread awareness about benefits of scrapping is leading to public resistance to retiring old vehicles for reasons like emotional attachment.
- Lack of organized sector participation and standard operating procedures for various scrapping activities may impact policy effectiveness in short run.
- Offering attractive scrapping incentives on new vehicle purchases pose difficulties due to limited fiscal space of governments amid COVID times.
- Ensuring dismantled scrap is effectively recycled as per environmental norms at authorized recyclers requires strict monitoring mechanism.
- Older commercial vehicles like trucks/buses are crucial for livelihoods. Their owners may not find replacement economically viable due to high capital cost.
mandatory vehicle scrapping is much needed reform for India. Though implementation challenges exist in initial years, the policy promises to reduce pollution and oil import bill immensely. With coordinated efforts from central, state governments and private sector, these challenges can be overcome. If implemented successfully, the vehicle scrapping policy can put India on path of environmentally sustainable and safe mobility. Regular monitoring and review is vital to ensure continual progress on this front.
About Author:
Alice Mutum is a seasoned senior content editor at Coherent Market Insights, leveraging extensive expertise gained from her previous role as a content writer. With seven years in content development, Alice masterfully employs SEO best practices and cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to craft high-ranking, impactful content. As an editor, she meticulously ensures flawless grammar and punctuation, precise data accuracy, and perfect alignment with audience needs in every research report. Alice's dedication to excellence and her strategic approach to content make her an invaluable asset in the world of market insights.
(LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alice-mutum-3b247b137 )
