The vehicle scrappage policy that will come into effect from October 1, 2021, will see Ahmedabad police getting some new vehicles particularly for patrolling. As per the policy, vehicles that are over 15 years old will have to be scrapped. For private vehicles, the automobile needs to be scrapped after 20 years.
Across the state, over 800 vehicles that are part of the police force are expected to be scrapped as they are over 15 years old. Many of these vehicles have also reportedly completed the maximum kilometres they should be used for.
Across the country, it is estimated that over 1 crore vehicles are on the road despite not fulfilling fitness standards and need to be scrapped. Gujarat alone is likely to see 15 lakh vehicles being scrapped once the policy comes into force.
Sources in the police believe that the vehicle scrappage policy has only expedited the demand for new vehicles.
Most of the demand for new vehicles in the police force have come from the big cities of Gujarat including Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara.
The Ahmedabad police had recently appealed for 100 new vehicles including 50 two-wheelers and 50 four-wheelers as several vehicles had run way past their maximum kilometres. The city police had earlier also asked for 200 new cars. The She Team of city police that focuses on women related crimes were recently allotted 140 cars.
The Gujarat government had signed an MOU with five companies including Mahindra and Tata Motors after the announcement of the vehicle scrappage policy. The state also plans to come up with vehicle scrap yards in Kutch and Alang
The policy is likely to give a boost to new car sales but may severely impact the used car market.