Govt considering vehicle tax rebate to promote scrapping

Hyderabad:

At least 1,000 RTC buses are in the ‘to-be condemned’ category. Worryingly, even educational institutions buses are part of this ageing fleet, with around 2,000 buses hitting the 15-year mark. To incentivise scrapping of old vehicles, the state is also considering offering a 10% to 15% rebate on motor vehicle tax on the purchase of new ones.

“We have already submitted the draft policy and the state govt is expected to approve it soon. Once the state govt gives its approval, the policy will be implemented, and the vehicle scrapping facilities will begin their operations. As part of this initiative, three companies have already committed to establishing vehicle scrapping facilities. Our objective is to remove vehicles that contribute to pollution and those that are deemed unfit for road use,” joint transport commissioner C Ramesh told TOI.

“We demand RTA release a white paper regarding govt vehicles that have been in operation for 15 years or more. A large number of GHMC auto tippers, ambulances, fire engines, RTC buses, and other govt vehicles continue to operate on the roads while emitting smoke. The ageing govt vehicles should be taken off the roads and scrapped, just as private vehicles are required to do so after a certain age,” Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union general secretary M Dayanand said.

On the other hand, over 1,000 road accidents were being registered involving 15-year-old vehicles, as per a report by the Union ministry of road transport and highways. In 2022, 15-year-old vehicles resulted in as many as 1,306 accidents in the state, leaving 418 dead and over 1,100 injured across the state.

Road safety experts say that old automobiles, especially those above 15 years old, particularly commercial and transport vehicles, often experience various mechanical issues. “These vehicles are prone to brake failure, compromising the driver's ability to safely stop the vehicle. Clutches also tend to become hard, making gear shifts difficult and increasing the risk of stalling or losing control of the vehicle,” Vinod Kanumala, a city-based road safety expert, said.

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