SIAM Wants Old Cars To Be Phased Out; Government Proposes Fitness Test

If a new government proposal comes into effect scores of old automobiles in India would have to undergo a fitness test to ascertain their roadworthiness.

During last week's Central Motor Vehicles Rules-Technical Standing Committee conference the road transport and highways ministry proposed that private vehicles be tested after 15 years and after 5 years thereafter.

This would prove whether or not they are within the stipulated emission and safety limits. Commercial vehicle would have to undergo this test after two years and annually after that.

This proposal was made as an alternative to an earlier proposal by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The automotive body had said earlier that all vehicles manufactured before 1996 should be decommissioned.

SIAM's argument has been that since emission norms in India only came into effect after 1996, preventing these vehicles from plying on road would help in reducing pollution.

Understandably, SIAM's proposal has been opposed almost universally. Many also believe this is a ploy to increase sale of new cars. Officials say such a move would mean taking 60-70 lakh vehicles out of the road.

A fitness test, which seems like a more viable solution, is already used in countries such the U.K. and the U.S.A.

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