Share of Road Transport in CO2 Emissions
Road transport accounts for about 12% of India’s total CO2 emissions.
Pollutants from Heavy Vehicles:
Heavy vehicles are a major source of Particulate Matter (PM2.5), tiny particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing health issues.
Heavy vehicles also emit Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), which worsens air quality and contributes to ground-level ozone formation.
Vehicular Scrapping Policy
The vehicle scrappage policy aims to phase out old, polluting vehicles.
It requires:
Passenger Vehicles: Scrapping if older than 20 years.
Commercial Vehicles: Scrapping if older than 15 years.
Vehicles must pass fitness and emissions tests to avoid being classified as end-of-life vehicles
Challenges in Karnataka
Only two scrapyards exist in the state, making it difficult to process old vehicles.
The policy is not mandatory, leading to low uptake.
Challenges in Maharashtra
While the state offers incentives like discounts on road tax or new vehicle purchases, these have not significantly impacted air pollution.
The incentives have yet to lead to widespread scrapping of old vehicles.
Additional Measures Needed
Ensure existing policies, such as vehicle emissions testing, garbage burning bans, and industrial emission checks, are strictly enforced.
Encourage the use of mass transit systems as a sustainable solution to reduce air pollution and reliance on personal vehicles.
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