Vehicles aged over 15 to go off road by March '15

All vehicles aged over 15 years are likely to go off the roads by March 2015.

The city transport department has set this tentative deadline after the National Green Tribunal on November 26 banned all such vehicles from plying on Delhi roads.
Sources say the department in the past three days has held marathon meetings to discuss modalities related to phasing-out of old vehicles.

Making it clear that there will be no second life for old vehicles, the transport department put out a notice on Thursday saying, “Transport Department shall not issue/renew registration of the non- transport (private) vehicle or fitness certificate to any such vehicle which is more than 15 years old.”

The city has about 29 lakh vehicles that have outlived their age, according to the transport department.

But the problem that remains is that the national capital doesn’t have authorised scrapyards, and the authorities fear discarded vehicles may choke the city streets.
The Delhi Traffic Police said they are yet to begin with their special drive to tow away old vehicles. Refusing to divulge the details, a senior traffic police official claimed the NGT ban will be imposed the same way as the ban on e-rickshaws, ordered by the Delhi High Court.

The NGT chairman Swatanter Kumar has reportedly asked the government departments concerned to send a message to the public that the order is being implemented.

The departments like transport, environment, traffic police, pollution control boards have until January 12 to submit an action taken report before the NGT.

“We will have to comply with the NGT orders, unless there is a change in order. We will do as required,” said the official, claiming that they are on the road to preparedness.

The official added that the aged vehicles will be towed to the pits, where impounded vehicles are kept.