In a decisive move to combat rising pollution levels, the Uttarakhand Transport Department has launched a crackdown on vehicles that have surpassed 15 years of age. As per new directives from the Government of India, the initiative begins with approximately 1,200 government vehicles that are slated for deregistration and scrapping.
The transport department has already circulated a list of such aged vehicles to all government departments across the state. These vehicles will be scrapped in compliance with the new guidelines, which aim to reduce emissions from outdated automobiles.
According to the Pollution Control Board, nearly 30% of air pollution in urban areas is caused by old vehicles that have exceeded their operational life. Authorities believe that retiring these vehicles is a crucial step in improving air quality.
The plan doesn’t stop with government vehicles. Private vehicle owners are also part of the strategy. Those who voluntarily submit their 15-year-old cars for scrapping could receive up to a 50% rebate in road tax on the purchase of a new vehicle—making now an opportune time to upgrade.
However, not all vehicle owners are on board with the blanket policy. “You can’t judge every vehicle by the same standard,” says a private vehicle owner. “Would you call a ₹1 crore car scrap-worthy just because it’s 15 years old?” He believes the decision to scrap should depend on the vehicle’s condition, not merely its age.
