Delhi Cabinet Approves Centre's Parivartan Scheme for Clean Transport
#GS-3 #Environment #Pollution #Climate Change #Sustainable Development #Infrastructure #Current Events #National #Electric Vehicles #Parivartan Scheme
Why in News
- The **Delhi Cabinet** recently gave its official approval to implement the Central Government's **Parivartan** scheme.
- This initiative focuses on replacing older commercial vehicles with new **BS-VI** compliant vehicles and **electric vehicles (EVs)**.
About The Parivartan Scheme
- **Parivartan** stands for **Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivisation of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emission**.
- It is a Central Government program that offers financial incentives to encourage replacing old, highly polluting commercial vehicles with **BS-VI** or **electric vehicles (EVs)**.
Aim of the Scheme
- The primary goal is to gradually remove aging commercial vehicles and cut down air pollution caused by urban transport.
- It also aims to boost clean mobility solutions and modernize India's entire commercial transport fleet.
Key Features
- **Financial Incentives**: Eligible vehicle owners receive motor vehicle tax exemptions, registration fee waivers, interest subsidies, manufacturer discounts, and fuel vouchers.
- **Vehicle Coverage**: The scheme covers **Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs)**, **Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs)**, **Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs)**, and buses that meet set requirements.
- **Clean Mobility Focus**: In Delhi, replacement rules mandate using electric **LGVs** and **BS-VI CNG** or electric buses.
- **Scrappage and Tax Relief**: Owners who scrap eligible vehicles get relief from pending road tax and fitness penalties, along with permission to sell **BS-IV** vehicles in selected non-NCAP cities outside the NCR region.
Significance
- It speeds up the transition from old commercial vehicles to cleaner options, which helps improve air quality in cities.
- It strengthens the **Delhi EV Policy 2026** and advances overall sustainable urban transport systems.
Relevance for UPSC Examination
- **Prelims Topics**: Important concepts include **BS-VI** norms, **Vehicle Scrappage Policy**, **Electric Vehicles (EVs)**, **NCAP**, transport pollution, and clean mobility schemes.
- **Mains Topics (GS-3)**: Relevant areas include environmental pollution, climate change mitigation, sustainable transport, electric mobility, urban infrastructure, and clean energy policies.