The Central Government has taken a major decision to curb pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. The plan involves phasing out old trucks and buses in favor of new, low-emission BS-6 and electric vehicles. The Central Government will spend approximately ₹9,585 crore on this initiative. The scheme covers around 200,000 vehicles in the Delhi-NCR area, involving the upgrade of 191,000 trucks and 16,329 buses. Let us look at the benefits this new government scheme offers to vehicle owners.
The government plans to offer various concessions to owners of old commercial vehicles in Delhi-NCR for purchasing new electric or BS-6 vehicles. Buyers will receive a 5% interest rate rebate on five-year loans. Additionally, the scheme includes monthly fuel vouchers worth up to ₹4,800, waivers on registration fees, and tax relief. The Delhi Government will continue to provide a 100% tax exemption on the purchase of new vehicles and a 50% tax exemption on older vehicles. Under this scheme, outstanding taxes and other pending liabilities associated with the old vehicles will also be waived.
The Central Government has approved this new initiative, making it mandatory to scrap BS-3 and older vehicles. Specific rules also apply to BS-4 vehicles; these can either be scrapped or resold in cities outside the Delhi-NCR region. Under this scheme, new buses purchased for Delhi must be either BS-6 CNG or electric, while trucks used for light cargo transport must be electric.
It is worth noting that while trucks and buses account for only 3% of the total vehicle population in Delhi-NCR, they are responsible for 36% of the total PM2.5 pollution. This is why the government is encouraging the replacement of old commercial vehicles with new ones in Delhi. The government believes that this will soon provide relief from pollution.
The government holds the view that replacing commercial vehicles could lead to quick relief from pollution. Phasing out old trucks and buses and purchasing new buses will help reduce pollution levels. The government noted that while old trucks and buses account for only 3 percent of the total vehicle fleet in Delhi, they are responsible for 36 percent of the pollution. Therefore, the process of phasing out these old trucks and buses is being expedited.
