[Answered] Critically analyze the effectiveness of India’s vehicle scrappage policy in combating air pollution. What challenges have impeded its success, particularly in states like Karnataka and Maharashtra?

India’s vehicle scrappage policy, introduced in 2022, aims to address the critical issue of air pollution by phasing out old and polluting vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles that contribute significantly to particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions.

Effectiveness of India’s vehicle scrappage policy

• Targeting High-Polluting Vehicles: The policy focuses on removing older, high-emission vehicles from the roads, which is essential given that heavy vehicles contribute 60-70% of vehicular PM emissions and 40-50% of NOx emissions in urban areas.
• Improved road safety: Older vehicles are often less safe due to technological advancements in safety features. Scrapping them can enhance road safety.
• Boost to the automotive industry: The policy can stimulate demand for new vehicles, benefiting the automotive sector.
• Lax Enforcement: Existing government policies, such as regular vehicle emission testing and bans on open garbage burning, are often poorly enforced. This lack of stringent implementation undermines the overall effectiveness of the vehicle scrappage policy.

Challenges

• Limited Impact in Maharashtra: Despite Maharashtra offering incentives like discounts on road tax or new vehicle purchases, the policy has not yet had a substantial impact on reducing air pollution in the state. This suggests that financial incentives alone are insufficient to drive widespread adoption of the scrappage program.
• Exclusion of Heavy Vehicles from CAFE Norms: The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms are a positive step towards reducing CO2 emissions from cars, but they exclude heavy vehicles. Given that heavy vehicles are major contributors to air pollution, their exclusion from these norms represents a significant gap in the policy framework.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: In Karnataka, the policy’s implementation has been hindered by the lack of sufficient scrapyards—only two for the entire state. This scarcity of facilities makes it logistically challenging for vehicle owners to comply with the scrappage requirements.
• Voluntary Nature of the Policy: The voluntary aspect of the policy also limits its impact. Many vehicle owners, especially in Bangalore, continue to use older vehicles, including BMTC buses, private vans, and heavy vehicles, which are significant sources of pollution.

Conclusion

India’s vehicle scrappage policy represents a crucial step towards reducing vehicular emissions and improving air quality. To achieve the policy’s full potential, the government must address these challenges through stronger enforcement, expanded infrastructure, and more comprehensive inclusion of all vehicle types in emission reduction strategies. Additionally, promoting mass transit systems and ensuring strict compliance with existing regulations will be vital in combating the severe air pollution crisis facing India.