With an emphasis on creating a circular economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a National Automobile Scrappage Policy. He said the introduction of a vehicle scrappage policy would likely to attract an investment worth ₹10,000 crore in Gujarat.
“We are promoting a circular economy. The aim is to develop a sustainable and environment-friendly economy,” he said in his online address to the policy launch event in Gujarat.
The policy was aimed at phasing out old and unfit vehicles and modernise the vehicle fleet in the country. “Modernity in mobility not only reduces the burden of travel and transportation, but also proves helpful for economic development,” he stated.
The manner in which technology was changing, be it in lifestyle or economy - there would be a lot of changes in the coming years. “Amid these changes, it is also important to protect our environment, our land, our resources, our raw material,” he observed.
‘Alang could become hub’
Asia’s largest ship recycling and scrapping yard Alang in Gujarat could become a hub for old vehicle scrapping since the government was pushing for phasing out 15-year-old commercial vehicles and 20-year- old passenger vehicles, he noted.
In Alang, ships and vessels from across the world come for being scrapped and a significant amount of materials from the scrappage is recycled for its use in multiple industries.
“The launch of the Vehicle Scrappage Policy today is a significant milestone in India's development journey. The Investor Summit in Gujarat for setting up vehicle scrapping infrastructure opens a new range of possibilities. I would request our youth and start-ups to join this programme,” Mr. Modi said.
“Vehicle scrapping will help phase out unfit and polluting vehicles in an environment-friendly manner. Our aim is to create a viable circular economy and bring value for all stakeholders while being environmentally responsible,” he asserted and pointed out that phasing out old vehicles would also help in bringing down the pollution levels in cities.
In Gujarat, the government is in the process of inviting private players to set up scrappage yards in Alang and Kutch where old vehicles could be brought for scrapping and recycling their parts and materials.
