The Union Cabinet has approved a two-year, ₹9,585 crore scheme to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR by modernizing the commercial transport fleet. Implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) via the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB), the initiative aims to phase out older, polluting vehicles in favor of BS-VI compliant or electric vehicles (EVs).
Key Scheme Provisions
- Target: 2.07 lakh commercial vehicles (1.91 lakh trucks, 16,329 buses).
- Mandates: BS-III and older vehicles must be scrapped at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs). BS-IV vehicles may be scrapped or transferred outside the NCR/NCAP zones.
- Delhi-Specific Rules: All new Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) must be electric; replacement buses must be electric or BS-VI CNG.
- Exclusions: Government-owned fleets are ineligible for benefits.
- Incentives: Central interest subventions, fuel vouchers, state tax waivers, and a mandatory 8% OEM discount.
- Governance: Overseen by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
Emission Rationale
- Trucks/buses comprise only 3% of the fleet but contribute 36% of transport-sector PM2.5 emissions.
- The transport sector is responsible for 63% of regional Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and 40% of Carbon Monoxide (CO).
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- NCRPB: A statutory body established under the NCRPB Act, 1985.
- NCAP: Aiming for a 40% reduction in PM2.5/PM10 concentrations by 2026 (base year 2017).
- BS-VI Transition: India directly adopted BS-VI norms in 2020, reducing fuel sulfur content to 10 ppm.
- Scrapping Policy: Promotes a circular economy; yields a Certificate of Deposit (CD) for tax/purchase incentives.