Over 13k vehicles in Meghalaya to be taken off roads: Minister

Shillong: The Meghalaya cabinet on Thursday approved the Vehicle Scrappage Policy (VSP), under which approximately 13,000 vehicles will be taken off the roads in the first phase, in a bid to reduce vehicular pollution.

Cabinet minister and ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said, "We will address the matter by first taking off govt vehicles which are 15 years and older. Around 5,000 govt vehicles come under the scrappage policy and will be removed from the roads".

Regarding private vehicles, he added, "We will first implement the policy by limiting it to vehicles that are 35 years and older, and there are about 8,000 such vehicles".

He further said, "Altogether, 5,000 govt vehicles and 8,000 private vehicles make up the 13,000 vehicles that will be off the roads as per this policy".

Emphasising on the benefits of the policy, Lyngdoh said, "The major benefit is to allow the govt to reduce pollution levels, lower fuel imports, and promote recycling of raw materials".

He also said Shillong currently has approximately 2,76,262 registered vehicles.

The minister further said this step was in line with similar initiatives being undertaken across the country.