Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari: I'm Happy That 4000 Cars Are Being Scrapped Every Week!
The scrapping of nearly 4,000 old vehicles every week has emerged as a notable outcome of India’s vehicle scrappage policy. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari expressed satisfaction at this progress while speaking at the 7th FICCI Road Safety Awards in New Delhi. His remarks point to a programme that was once criticised for a slow start but is now beginning to show measurable results on the ground.
Why Old Cars Are Being Taken Off Roads
Gadkari underlined how worn-out braking systems and ageing mechanical parts in older vehicles increase accident risks. His comment that many old cars are “not suitable for driving” reflects the technical evidence that maintaining such vehicles becomes expensive while their safety levels decline sharply.
The policy requires vehicles to undergo automated fitness tests. Commercial vehicles beyond 15 years and private cars over 20 years must clear checks for emissions, brakes, and structural strength. Failures receive End of Life certificates, ensuring that unsafe vehicles are permanently retired.
A Growing Network of Scrapping Centres
One reason behind the weekly scrapping numbers is the expansion of infrastructure. More than 60 registered scrapping centres are operational across 17 states, supported by 75 automated testing stations in 12 states. Uttar Pradesh leads with 15 facilities and has already processed close to 19,000 vehicles, including a large share of government cars.
The government’s aim is to have a scrapping centre within 150 kilometres of every major city. This makes the system more accessible to owners, tackling one of the early barriers to adoption.
What Owners Get in Return
The policy is designed to make scrapping financially worthwhile. Owners get scrap value worth 4–6 percent of a new car’s price, while manufacturers offer up to 5 percent discount on new purchases. States can add further incentives such as road tax rebates and registration fee waivers.
This formal framework is far more rewarding than traditional informal scrapping, which offered little money and no guarantee of safe disposal. Now, scrapped steel, aluminium, copper, and rubber are reused in manufacturing, cutting costs and supporting the idea of a circular economy.
Government Shows the Way
A large chunk of scrapped vehicles so far belong to government departments. Over 16,000 official vehicles have been scrapped in Uttar Pradesh alone. The rule makes scrapping compulsory for government fleets older than 15 years, ending the earlier practice of selling them off cheaply.
This not only creates demand for new vehicles but also signals to private owners that the system is credible and being followed across the board.
Why Private Owners Still Hold Back
Despite the push, private participation remains low. Estimates suggest more than two crore vehicles in India are older than 20 years. Yet many owners continue to hold on to them, often due to emotional attachment, lack of awareness, or uncertainty over replacement costs.
Participation also varies by region. States with better facilities and awareness drives are seeing more voluntary scrapping, while rural owners still face access issues.
Safety, Air Quality and Sustainability
Older cars and trucks not only lack safety features but also pollute far more than modern ones. Removing them is expected to help reduce accident risks and bring down emissions in cities struggling with poor air quality. Registered centres ensure safe disposal of fluids, batteries, and other hazardous parts that informal yards often mishandled.
Material recovered from scrapping helps reduce mining pressure and lowers import dependence, tying into larger sustainability goals.
The current scrapping pace shows progress, but the real test will be scaling up to deal with millions of old vehicles still on the roads. Facilities will need steady inflows to stay viable, and the auto industry must be ready with enough replacements at affordable prices.