Jammu: As many as 165067 vehicles running in Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh are either greater than or equal to 15 years of age as on March 31 this year.
Replying in the parliament, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways informed that three Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) run vehicles, 44,768 Diesel driven and 1, 15106 petrol vehicles have either crossed or attained 15 years till March 31.
It further added that overage Diesel vehicles comprised 27.99 percent of the fleet while outdated petrol vehicles included 71. 96 of the total petrol run vehicles.
Moreover, in Ladakh 5190 vehicles either crossed 15 year or reached the maximum age.
The details further revealed that 51.66 percent fleet of Diesel run vehicles, which counts at 2686 is over 15 years. Similarly, 2490 petrol run vehicles in Ladakh, of which about 47.98 percent of the fleet has crossed 15 years of age.
The government also listed the incentives for scrapping the old vehicles. As per GOI certificate of registration for vehicles owned by Central, States and UT governments and their Departments, Local government (Municipal Corporations or Municipalities or Panchayats), State transport undertakings, PSUs and other Autonomous bodies with the Central Government and State Governments asked not be renewed after the lapse of fifteen years.
Disposal of such vehicles has to be ensured through the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility.
However, this rule does not apply to the special purpose vehicles (armoured and other specialised vehicles) used for operational purposes for defense of the country and for the maintenance of law and order and internal security.
The Central Government has provided incentives to State Governments for implementation of Vehicle scrapping Policy. Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has included an incentive of Rs. 2000 crore for the states in its ongoing scheme for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2022-23’. Further, the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment has been extended for the financial year 2023-24 by the Government and the incentive amount to the States has been increased to Rs. 3000 crores, to incentivize scrapping of State Government vehicles which are older than 15 years, waiver of liabilities on old vehicles, providing tax concessions to individuals for scrapping of old vehicles and setting up of automated vehicle testing facilities.
