Government opposes ban on vehicles over 15 years of age

In November 2014, the National Green Tribunal put forth a proposal to ban vehicles over 15 years of age from plying on the roads of New Delhi. The proposal came in the wake of the rising pollution levels in the national capital. The Government of India, however, seems to have shelved the proposal, at least for private vehicles.

The ministry of road transport and highways is planning to make fitness tests more stringent and periodic for all vehicles. The ministry has proposed a fitness testing period of five years for every new car purchased. At present the period is fifteen years. Once the vehicle crosses fifteen years of age, it will have to undergo fitness tests every 2-3 years. For this, the ministry will have to set up more fitness testing stations.

While private vehicles have been spared, commercial and transport vehicles are likely to have to adhere to the 15-year age limit.

To lower the levels of vehicular pollution, the ministry plans to provide cleaner BS-IV compliant fuel to the country. According to its plans, by April 1, 2015, the fuel is expected to be available in Jammu & Kashmir (except Leh and Kargil), Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and the bordering districts and parts of Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh. By April 1, 2016, the fuel will be made available in parts of Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune and Thane), Gujarat (Surat, Valsad, Dangs and Tapi districts), Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, Diu & Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. By April 1, 2017, the fuel will be available in the rest of the country.

Source: ET Auto