Telangana to Ban Vehicles Over 15 Years from January 2025: Revanth Sarkar’s Plan to Curb Pollution
Hyderabad September 19
The Telangana government, led by Revanth Reddy, is set to implement a new policy aimed at reducing pollution by phasing out older vehicles. Starting January 1, 2025, vehicles that are 15 years or older, as well as those that fail mandatory fitness tests, will no longer be allowed on the roads. The government has decided to stop registering these vehicles as part of the effort to improve air quality.
Fitness Tests and Green Tax for Extension
Vehicles that pass fitness tests may be allowed to operate for an additional three to five years, but only if owners pay a green tax. Government vehicles that are over 15 years old will also be scrapped, a move affecting approximately 10,000 such vehicles across various departments. Currently, Delhi is the only city enforcing a ban on vehicles older than 15 years. Telangana plans to adopt policies similar to those in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
20 Lakh Vehicles in Greater Hyderabad
According to government statistics, there are more than 30 lakh vehicles in Telangana that are over 15 years old, with 20 lakh of these located in Greater Hyderabad alone. Among these are 17 lakh two-wheelers, 3.5 lakh cars, 1 lakh goods carriers, and 20,000 autorickshaws.
RTC Buses and Educational Institution Vehicles
The policy will also affect approximately 1,000 RTC buses that are more than 15 years old. Additionally, many educational institutions operate buses older than 15 years. The government is considering offering a 10 to 15 percent concession on motor vehicle tax to encourage owners to scrap older vehicles.
Road Safety Concerns
A report from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways indicates that older vehicles are a significant road safety hazard. In 2022, 1,306 accidents were reported involving vehicles over 15 years old, leading to 418 deaths. Road safety experts have long warned that vehicles older than 15 years are more prone to mechanical failures, contributing to the high number of accidents.
The new policy is expected to make Telangana’s roads safer and the air cleaner, as the government takes steps to address pollution and road safety concerns.
