Chandigarh ahead of MP, Odisha in scrapping of old vehicles

People of the city are not only ahead in buying new vehicles but have also taken a lead among many big states of the country when it comes to scrapping old vehicles.

Under the Central Government’s Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernisation Programme (VVMP), 8,646 old vehicles have been scrapped in Chandigarh in two-and-a-half years.

According to data presented by Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in the Lok Sabha, Chandigarh is ahead of states like Madhya Pradesh (6,892), Odisha (2,737) and Punjab (4,553) in vehicle scrapping. Despite the small area, 8,646 old vehicles have been scrapped in Chandigarh since the implementation of the National Vehicle Scrappage Policy in April 1, 2023, to phase out unfit and polluting vehicles.

According to the policy, commercial vehicles over 15 years old and passenger vehicles over 20 years old will have to be mandatorily scrapped if these do not pass the fitness and emission tests.

However, some experts say that the figures for Chandigarh are also high because many vehicles from neighbouring states also come to Chandigarh for scrapping at the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility in Industrial Area, Phase I.

At the same time, Uttar Pradesh is at the forefront of scrapping vehicles across the country, where 1,21,206 vehicles have been scrapped so far. It is followed by Haryana (38,993) and Maharashtra (19,310). Gujarat (15,448) and Rajasthan (15,420) also rank high on this list.

Road tax exemption

According to the vehicle scrappage policy, the beneficiaries get upto 25 per cent rebate on road tax for the scrapping of old non-transport vehicles and 15 per cent for transport vehicles on the registration of new vehicles after submitting the Certificate of Deposit (COD).

Once a vehicle is scrapped, a certificate of deposit (COD) is issued and it is de-registered, and this certificate is valid across the country. Also, the vehicle owner can retain the registration number of the scrapped vehicle at the e-vahan portal.

The value of the scrap is calculated on the basis of the weight of the vehicle. The owner is paid as per the current rate of the scrap, which is calculated on the basis of its steel. The Administration has also told the departments that new vehicles can be purchased only when these produce the scrapping certificate of the old vehicle.