This has come as a great relief to the vehicle owners as the Bihar government has unveiled a new vehicle scrap policy to promote the elimination of old and polluting vehicles on the roads, coupled with a big financial package as an incentive to the vehicle owners. The new policy should help lessen air pollution, enhance road safety, and encourage the population to adopt the newer, cleaner vehicles throughout the state.
The new policy, according to the authorities in the Transport Department, targets vehicles that are 15 years old and above, as they tend to be more polluting and do not always comply with the current standards of fitness and emission standards. In the revised plan, car owners who voluntarily drop their old cars in the approved scrap centres would be offered a variety of incentives and tax exemptions.
The government taxes and penalties on vehicles scrapped are greatly reduced as one of the major characteristics of the policy. The owners are allowed to get a high exemption from taxes and other dues due to the authorities on possible road tax, and this way, the owners are in a position to retire old cars without having to be overburdened by the high financial cost. Moreover, the policy provides significant rebates on such registration charges and road taxes to people who buy new cars after disposing of their old ones.
The Bihar government has said that the new incentives are much more attractive than the past scrap policy, which experienced a few participants because of reduced benefits. The state wants to attract better participation of both the private and commercial vehicle owners by offering higher tax exemptions and simplifying the procedures.
Authorities pointed out that vehicles of a higher age cause disproportionate air pollution and exposure to traffic safety risks. The gradual elimination of them will contribute to a better environment, as well as to the car modernization of Bihar. The project also follows the overall vehicle scrappage programme developed by the Centre, which offers sustainable mobility and lower carbon emissions.
The policy should last until March 31, 2026, so vehicle owners will have a long time to enjoy the benefits. States have encouraged qualified owners to ensure that they have confirmed their vehicle number, fitness, and outstanding fees using their respective Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) before they are allowed to go through with the scrap.
Besides environmental benefits, the government feels that the policy will have an economic benefit in the sense that it would boost demand for new vehicles and sustain the automobile industry. Simultaneously, it will give business opportunities to authorized vehicle scrapping facilities within the state.
Bihar will be as well-placed as other states to take the initiative of a cleaner means of transport and safer roads with the advent of this new scrap policy. It is recommended that vehicle owners keep up with the scheme by being informed about the scheme through official communications and visiting authorized centres so that they can experience the full benefits of the scheme.
