The Delhi government’s decision to enforce a 10-year rule for diesel vehicles, with a 15-year limit for petrol vehicles, has triggered widespread anger among car owners. The policy, now active in Delhi and set to expand across the NCR, mandates the scrapping of older vehicles. Car owners are questioning the logic behind scrapping vehicles that are in good condition, especially given the already high costs of vehicle ownership in India. Lt. Col. Chandra Mohan Jagota, voiced his disapproval, criticizing the government’s approach. He and many other car owners believe the policy is arbitrary and fails to address underlying issues like inadequate public transport. The policy has resulted in numerous vehicles being removed from the roads. This has left many car owners bewildered. Owners point to the contrast with other countries, where older vehicles are permitted if they meet safety and emissions standards. The immediate impact includes fines and the requirement to take vehicles to scrap yards. The policy is also expected to impact new car sales. Many car owners are urging the government to reconsider the policy to lessen the financial burden on the middle class.
