Cabinet scheme to replace old trucks and buses in Delhi-NCR

The Delhi-NCR truck and bus replacement scheme: what happened?

Heavy vehicles are a small share of Delhi-NCR’s fleet but a big share of its pollution. Owners keep old trucks because new ones are costly. This scheme pays them to switch.

• BS-III or older vehicles must be scrapped at a Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility; BS-IV vehicles may be scrapped or sold outside NCR in non-NCAP cities or towns.
• The owner must buy and register a BS-VI (or stricter) or electric vehicle within NCR.
• In Delhi, light goods vehicles bought under the scheme must be electric, and buses must be BS-VI CNG or electric.
• Government vehicles are excluded. The process runs on a single digital portal.

What does each partner give?

Why target trucks and buses?

• As per the ARAI–TERI source apportionment study (August 2018), transport gives 14% of PM2.5, 40% of CO and 63% of NOx in Delhi-NCR.
• Trucks and buses are only 3% of the fleet but 36% of transport PM2.5.
• One pre-BS heavy vehicle emits as much as 14 BS-VI vehicles; a BS-IV vehicle emits 2.7 times a BS-VI one.

How does an owner use the scheme?

1. Check eligibility on the portal (BS-IV or older truck or bus registered in NCR)
2. Scrap the old vehicle, or sell a BS-IV one outside NCR in a non-NCAP town
3. Buy and register a BS-VI or electric vehicle within NCR
4. Get 8% maker discount, State tax waivers and Central interest subvention
5. Receive monthly fuel vouchers; benefits continue for five years

Why does the Delhi-NCR truck and bus replacement scheme matter?

What are the challenges in the Delhi-NCR truck and bus replacement scheme?

• Selling BS-IV vehicles to non-NCAP towns can shift pollution elsewhere.
• Small owners may still struggle with loan eligibility.
• The 2018 source study is old; current shares may differ.

What should be done next on the Delhi-NCR truck and bus replacement scheme?

• Track scrapping and replacement numbers on the portal.
• Measure pollution reduction, as the portal is designed to do.
• Push more electric options for trucks as they become available.

What can Prelims ask on the Delhi-NCR truck and bus replacement scheme?

• Outlay ₹9,585 crore; Centre ₹5,041 crore; funded via NCRPB (MoHUA).
• Covers Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP in NCR.
• BS-III or older must be scrapped; BS-IV may be scrapped or sold outside NCR.
• Trucks and buses: 3% of fleet, 36% of transport PM2.5 (ARAI–TERI 2018).
• Centre: 5% interest subvention, fuel vouchers up to ₹4,800 a month.

How to write about the Delhi-NCR truck and bus replacement scheme in Mains

Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): Fleet renewal can reduce urban air pollution only if old vehicles do not simply move elsewhere. Examine the Delhi-NCR truck and bus replacement scheme in this light.

• Intro: ₹9,585 crore, 2.07 lakh owners.
• Why heavy vehicles: 3% fleet, 36% PM2.5.
• Design: scrapping rules, incentives, portal.
• Concern: BS-IV sale to non-NCAP towns.
• Way forward: monitoring and EV push.

What should UPPCS aspirants note?

• Uttar Pradesh is a participating State, so UP-registered trucks and buses in the NCR districts are eligible, with State tax concessions.