Cabinet Clears Rs 9,585 Crore Scheme to Replace Polluting Trucks and Buses in Delhi-NCR

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a landmark two-year scheme aimed at reducing air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region while accelerating the transition to cleaner modes of transportation. The initiative, with a total financial outlay of ₹9,585 crore, is designed to encourage the replacement of older trucks and buses with cleaner BS-VI-compliant vehicles or electric vehicles (EVs), addressing one of the major sources of air pollution in the National Capital Region.

According to an official statement, the scheme includes ₹5,041 crore in funding from the Central Government and an estimated ₹1,601 crore in tax concessions from participating states. It will target owners of trucks and buses registered in Delhi-NCR that comply with BS-IV or older emission standards. The program will be financed through the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, underscoring the government's commitment to improving air quality across the region.

The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 2.07 lakh vehicle owners, including around 1.91 lakh truck owners and 16,329 bus owners across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. To ensure the removal of highly polluting vehicles from the roads, owners of BS-III or older vehicles will be required to scrap them at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities before becoming eligible for incentives under the program. Officials believe this measure will help accelerate fleet modernization and significantly reduce vehicular emissions.

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Delhi-NCR has long faced severe air quality challenges, with vehicle emissions identified as a key contributor to pollution levels. By combining direct financial incentives, tax benefits, and mandatory scrapping requirements, the newly approved scheme aims to create a cleaner and more sustainable transportation ecosystem. The government expects the initiative to support environmental goals, improve public health outcomes, and encourage wider adoption of modern and energy-efficient vehicles throughout the region.

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