Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said vehicle scrapping will help to phase out unfit and polluting vehicles in an environment-friendly manner. The move is a step in the direction to attain the goal of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, he said at the launch of the National Automobile Scrappage Policy on Friday.
The prime minister also virtually addressed an investor summit held in Gujarat to set up vehicle scrapping infrastructure.
Pointing out that clean, congestion-free, and convenient mobility is the demand of the 21st century, the prime minister said the new policy would play an important role in doing away with old vehicles in a scientific manner. Modi said the new policy would help to bring in an investment of Rs 10,000 crore and would be an important link in circular economy of the country. It is a waste to wealth mission, he observed.
Making a mention that Alang is a hub for recycling ships, the PM said it could also become a big hub for vehicle scrapping. Rare earth metals can also be recovered if the vehicles are scrapped in a scientific manner, he pointed out.
Stressing on the need to change old practices, Modi said the government is committed to give the best standards, and a direct shift from BS-IV to BS-VI is a step in that direction.
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The Prime Minister said that the next 25 years are important for the country and in this it was our duty to conserve our land and environmental resources.
Modi said the new policy would benefit everyone. For instance, for a person whose car is scrapped, he/she will get a certificate and would not be required to pay registration fee for a new car. The individual will also get concession in road tax, he added.
Vehicle scrapping, he said, would also give relief from maintenance of old vehicles and lessen the instances of road accidents, apart from being less damaging to the environment.
The vehicles will be scrapped by not just looking into its age, but a fitness test will be undertaken at automated centres.
Speaking on the occasion, Nitin Gadkari, Union minister of Road Transport and Highways, said his ministry is open to suggestions, and the idea is to do away with red tapism.
