Government Clarifies Stance on Old Vehicle Usage Amid Scrapping Policy

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari clarified that the government has not banned old vehicles; restrictions are imposed by NGT. The Vehicle Scrapping Policy aims to phase out polluting vehicles. Gadkari highlighted the Supreme Court's directive affecting NCR vehicles and ongoing National Highway black spot rectifications.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari clarified on Wednesday that the government has not prohibited the use of old vehicles, attributing restrictions to the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) rulings. These limit diesel and petrol vehicles of a certain age in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Gadkari, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, emphasized that the government's Vehicle Scrapping Policy does not outright ban vehicles over 15 years old. Instead, it provides a framework for phasing out unfit vehicles in an environmentally friendly manner.

Meanwhile, Gadkari noted that efforts to rectify black spots on National Highways are ongoing, with a significant portion already addressed. Additionally, the Dehradun-Delhi highway project is progressing, targeted for completion by October 2025.

(With inputs from agencies.)