Can scheme to replace NCR’s old trucks and buses curb pollution

Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved a two-year Clean Mobility Scheme aimed at replacing older trucks and buses in Delhi-NCR with BS-VI-compliant vehicles. The move is significant because heavy commercial vehicles constitute only a small fraction of the vehicle fleet but contribute disproportionately to particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions. 

What is the Clean Mobility Scheme for Delhi-NCR?

1. Approval: Approved by the Union Cabinet for a two-year period to reduce air pollution and promote clean mobility in Delhi-NCR.
2. Objective: Accelerates replacement of BS-IV and older trucks and buses with BS-VI-compliant or electric vehicles (EVs).
3. Funding Mechanism: Financed through the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
4. Implementing Agencies: Implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) in collaboration with Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
5. Financial Outlay: Provides a total package of ₹9,585 crore, including ₹5,041 crore Central assistance and ₹1,601 crore estimated State tax concessions.
6. Coverage: Targets nearly 2.07 lakh vehicle owners, including 1.91 lakh trucks and 16,329 buses across Delhi-NCR.
7. Vehicle Replacement Norms: Mandates scrapping of BS-III and older vehicles at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities; BS-IV vehicles may be scrapped or sold outside NCR in non-NCAP cities/towns.
8. Delhi-Specific Provision: Requires electric Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) and permits only BS-VI CNG or electric buses under the scheme.
9. Exclusion: Government-owned vehicles are not eligible for scheme benefits.

What Incentives Does the Scheme Provide?

Central Government Support

1. Interest Subvention: Provides 5% interest subsidy on vehicle loans for five years.
2. Fuel Support: Provides monthly fuel vouchers of up to ₹4,800, depending on vehicle category.
3. EV Incentives: Offers lump-sum benefits for electric vehicle purchases or Certificate of Deposit trading.

State Government Support

1. Registration Fee Waiver: Exempts eligible new vehicles from registration charges.
2. Motor Vehicle Tax Relief: Provides up to 100% tax concession for new vehicles and 50% concession for used vehicles for 10 years.
3. Liability Waiver: Waives pending liabilities on old vehicles participating in the scheme.

Industry Support

1. OEM Contribution: Participating automobile manufacturers provide 8% discount on ex-showroom prices.

How Will the Scheme Be Implemented and Monitored?

1. Digital Platform: Uses an integrated portal for real-time eligibility verification, automated claims processing and fuel voucher disbursement.
2. Outcome Monitoring: Tracks pollution-reduction outcomes and scheme performance digitally.
3. Long-Term Support: Central benefits continue for five years from registration of the new vehicle, extending beyond the two-year enrolment period.
4. Empowered Committee: Monitored by a high-level committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, with representation from NITI Aayog, MoHUA, MoRTH, MoPNG, DFS and NCR States.
5. District-Level Oversight: District Collectors/District Magistrates will supervise implementation and monitoring at the local level.

Can the Replacement of Old Trucks and Buses Significantly Improve Delhi-NCR Air Quality?

1. Disproportionate Emission Burden: Old trucks and buses contribute significantly higher emissions despite constituting a small share of the total fleet.
2. PM2.5 Contribution: Trucks and buses account for 36% of transport-sector PM2.5 emissions, directly affecting respiratory and cardiovascular health.
3. Cleaner Technology: BS-VI vehicles incorporate advanced emission-control systems, cleaner fuels and onboard diagnostic technologies.
4. Emission Reduction Potential: Transition from older emission norms to BS-VI can substantially reduce NOx, PM and CO emissions.

Why Are Heavy Commercial Vehicles a Major Pollution Challenge?

1. Large Fleet Size: Delhi-NCR has approximately 2.98 crore registered vehicles.
2. Rapid Growth: Vehicle numbers are increasing by nearly 7% annually.
3. High Emission Intensity: A pre-BS heavy vehicle emits up to 14 times more pollution than a BS-VI vehicle.
4. Legacy Fleet: Large numbers of trucks and buses continue operating under outdated emission standards.
5. Ageing Vehicles: Emission performance deteriorates beyond regulatory life due to engine wear and weakening pollution-control systems.

What Does the Evidence Say About Transport-Sector Pollution?

1. Winter PM2.5 Share: Transport contributes around 23% of winter PM2.5 pollution in Delhi-NCR.
2. Summer PM2.5 Share: Transport contributes around 19% of summer PM2.5 emissions.
3. Carbon Monoxide Emissions: Transport accounts for nearly 40% of CO emissions.
4. Nitrogen Oxide Emissions: Transport contributes around 63% of NOx emissions.
5. Scientific Basis: Source-apportionment studies (2015–2019) identified transport as a major pollution source.
6. Institutional Assessment: Studies were evaluated by panels constituted under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

How Much Cleaner Are BS-VI Vehicles?

1. Advanced Standards: BS-VI represents India’s most stringent vehicular emission norm.
2. Pollutant Control: Introduces tighter limits on NOx and particulate matter emissions.
3. Fuel Quality Improvement: Operates with cleaner fuels containing 10 ppm sulphur content.
4. Diagnostic Systems: Uses advanced on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems for emission monitoring.
5. BS-IV Gap: BS-IV vehicles emit 2.7 times more pollution than comparable BS-VI vehicles.
6. Technology Transition: Aligns Indian emission standards with advanced global regulatory practices.

What Is the Current Composition of Delhi-NCR’s Commercial Vehicle Fleet?

1. Goods Vehicles: Account for 4.1% (11.80 lakh) of Delhi-NCR’s 2.88 crore vehicle fleet.
2. Bus Share: Buses constitute only 0.6% of the total vehicle fleet.
3. BS-VI Buses: 34,449 buses are BS-VI compliant.
4. Older Buses: 1,26,549 buses fall within the pre-BS to BS-IV categories.
5. Pollution Concentration: A relatively small commercial fleet contributes disproportionately to emissions.

Why Is Delhi-NCR Particularly Vulnerable to Air Pollution?

1. Multiple Sources: Pollution arises from transport, dust, industrial emissions and biomass burning.
2. Meteorological Factors: Weather conditions influence pollutant accumulation and dispersion.
3. Regional Nature: Pollution originates from both local and regional sources.
4. Winter Inversion: Seasonal atmospheric conditions trap pollutants closer to the ground.
5. Population Exposure: High population density magnifies health impacts.

What Are the Potential Benefits and Limitations of the Scheme?

Benefits

1. Emission Reduction: Accelerates removal of highly polluting vehicles.
2. Fleet Modernisation: Promotes adoption of cleaner commercial transport.
3. Health Gains: Reduces exposure to PM2.5 and NOx.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Supports implementation of CAQM directives.
5. Climate Co-benefits: Improves fuel efficiency and lowers emission intensity.

Limitations

1. High Replacement Cost: Fleet owners may face financial constraints.
2. Enforcement Challenges: Effective scrappage and replacement monitoring remain critical.
3. Partial Solution: Transport is only one component of Delhi-NCR’s pollution problem.
4. Regional Coordination: Requires cooperation among multiple NCR states.

Conclusion

The Clean Mobility Scheme aligns with India’s commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2070, reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030, and promote sustainable urban transport. By targeting a small fleet responsible for a disproportionately large share of vehicular pollution, the scheme can complement the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) target of reducing particulate pollution in non-attainment cities while advancing SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2020] What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India?

Linkage: The PYQ focuses on policy measures and institutional interventions for tackling air pollution in India. The Clean Mobility Scheme complements NCAP by targeting vehicular emissions, a major source of PM2.5 and NOx pollution in Delhi-NCR, through fleet modernisation and BS-VI transition.