Delhi govt to implement Centre's 'Naya Safar Yojana' to replace old trucks, buses
New Delhi, July 13
Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Monday that the Rekha Gupta government has initiated the process to implement the Central government's 'Naya Safar Yojana' to replace old, polluting trucks and buses.
Pankaj Kumar Singh said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' (MoRTH), Government of India's scheme to support the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) for the replacement of old trucks and buses operating in Delhi-NCR is aimed at providing citizens with cleaner air and a more sustainable transport ecosystem.
The initiative aims to phase out highly polluting commercial vehicles by encouraging their replacement with cleaner BS-VI or stricter-emission-norm-compliant vehicles and Electric Vehicles (EVs).
The total outlay of the scheme is Rs 9,585 crore, with the Central Government contributing Rs 5,041 crore through NCRPB under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The scheme will be implemented through a fully digital Naya Safar Portal, enabling real-time eligibility verification, automated benefit disbursal and end-to-end monitoring. It will remain open for eligible beneficiaries for a period of two years, said the Delhi Minister.
"The implementation of the 'Naya Safar Yojana' represents a significant step towards replacing ageing, highly polluting commercial vehicles with cleaner BS-VI and electric alternatives," said the Delhi Minister.
"This initiative not only supports transport operators through meaningful financial incentives but also strengthens Delhi's larger vision of clean mobility, environmental sustainability and improved public health," he said.
"By working in close coordination with the Government of India, we are creating an enabling framework that encourages voluntary fleet modernisation while contributing to long-term economic growth and a greener future for Delhi and the entire NCR," he said.
The scheme, popularly known as 'Naya Safar Yojana', seeks to address vehicular pollution in the National Capital Region through a combination of financial incentives, tax concessions and scrappage-linked benefits. It targets owners of BS-IV and older trucks and buses, encouraging voluntary fleet modernisation while strengthening the region's efforts towards cleaner and more sustainable transport.
Under the scheme, the Government of NCT of Delhi will extend a 100 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax concession for eligible new vehicles and a 50 per cent concession for eligible used vehicles for 10 years.
This scheme also has a provision for the waiver of registration fees and pending road tax and fitness penalty liabilities for eligible vehicles.
These benefits will complement incentives being provided by the Central Government, including interest subvention, fuel vouchers or one-time EV benefits, and discounts from participating vehicle manufacturers.
The scheme is expected to benefit nearly 2.07 lakh private truck and bus owners across Delhi-NCR, while promoting scientific scrapping of old commercial vehicles through Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities. Special provisions have also been made for Delhi, under which Light Goods Vehicles purchased through the scheme must be Electric Vehicles, while buses must be BS-VI CNG or Electric Vehicles, said the Minister.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Rs 9,585 crore is a massive outlay - but will it actually reach the small truck owners? In my colony, many drivers still use BS-III trucks because they can't afford new ones. The 100% tax concession is good, but what about the upfront cost of buying a new BS-VI or EV truck? Banks should offer easy loans too.
Smart move making light goods vehicles mandatory EVs in Delhi. But buses must be BS-VI CNG or EV - that's good but CNG is still fossil fuel. Would have loved to see all buses go electric. Still, better than nothing. Let's see if the 2-year window is enough for operators to switch. 🙏
I've been driving a BS-IV truck for 15 years. The interest subvention and fuel vouchers sound attractive, but what about the resale value of our old trucks? Scrapping them at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities might give us some money, but will it cover the down payment? Need more clarity on that.
Great initiative! But I'm skeptical about "end-to-end monitoring" - we've heard that before with other schemes. Also, NCRPB includes multiple states - will Haryana, UP, and Rajasthan also offer the same tax concessions? If not, truck owners will just register their vehicles there. Coordination is key!
As someone who suffers from asthma in Delhi, I welcome this! Finally the government is taking vehicular pollution seriously. But why only trucks and buses? What about the thousands of old two-wheelers and cars? And the construction dust? Hope this is
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