No ban has been imposed on plying of vehicles that are 15 years old in all the States of the country. However, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in WP No. 13029/1985 (MC Mehta vs Union of India), vide order dated 29.10.2018, has directed the Transport Departments of National Capital Region (NCR) that all diesel vehicles more than 10 years old and petrol vehicles more than 15 years old shall not ply in terms of order of NGT dated 07.04.2015.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has formulated the Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernization Program (V-VMP) or Vehicle Scrapping Policy for creation of an ecosystem to phase out unfit and polluting vehicles in an environment friendly manner. Under this policy, eligibility of vehicles to ply on roads is determined as follows:

1. For private vehicles, based on their fitness status, as certified by the Automated Testing Stations (ATS) established in accordance with GSR 652(E) dated 23.09.2021 (subsequently amended vide GSR 797(E) dated 31.10.2022).
2. As per the provisions of G.S.R. 29(E) dated 16^th January 2023, Certificate of registration of vehicles owned by the Government shall expire after a period of 15 years from initial registration. Such vehicles are to be scrapped at Registered Vehicles Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) established in accordance with GSR 653(E) dated 23.09.2021 (subsequently amended vide GSR 695(E) dated 13.09.2022).

In order to enforce provisions of the policy, rules have been issued/amended under the framework of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. The following notifications have been issued and uploaded on the Ministry's website: -

1. GSR Notification 653 (E) dated 23.09.2021 (amended vide GSR 695(E) dated 13.09.2022) provides the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility) Rules, 2021 for establishment of Registered Vehicles Scrapping Facility (RVSF). The notification has come into force with effect from 25th September, 2021.
2. GSR Notification 652 (E) dated 23.09.2021 (amended vide GSR 797(E) dated 31.10.2022) provides for recognition, regulation and control of Automated Testing Stations. The notification has come into force with effect from 25th September, 2021.
3. GSR Notification 714 (E) dated 04.10.2021 provides for upward revision of registration fee, fitness testing fee and fitness certification fee of vehicles. The notification has come into force with effect from 1st April, 2022.
4. GSR Notification 720 (E) dated 05.10.2021 provides for concession in the motor vehicle tax for the vehicle registered against submission of "Certificate of deposit". The notification has come into force with effect from 1st April, 2022.
5. GSR Notification 29(E) dt 16.01.2023 provides that 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, shall not be renewed after the lapse of fifteen years.
6. GSR 663(E) dated 12.09.2023 provides for extension of date for mandatory testing of Transport Vehicles through an Automated Testing Station, registered in accordance with rule 175 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989 to 01st October 2024.

As per the provisions of the Vehicle Scrapping Policy, State Governments are empowered to issue Registration Certificate for Automated Testing Stations and Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities. The owner or operator of any automated testing station shall be the State Government or any company or association or body of individuals or individual or special purpose vehicle either directly or through Public Private Partnership.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.

 

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