Nitin Gadkari Announces Plan To Increase Driver Training And Fitness Centres In Every District

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari during his address at the NDTV Auto Conclave 2024 announced a new scheme for vehicle fitness centres and driving centres in the country. He did not share many details regarding the new scheme but he confirmed that he will be signing the document approving the scheme today (10 December 2024).

The Union Minister said, "I am going to sign a document for a combination of driver training center and fitness center. We are launching a new scheme for this initiative, which will be officially announced tomorrow." He further added that each district in the country is going to have 4 to 5 fitness centres and 10 to 20 driver training centres.

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The certificates provided by these new fitness centres will help in getting the vehicle scrapped, making the vehicle scrapping process more economical and easy. Although, the details regarding the scheme have not been finalised yet. The present Vehicle Scrapping Policy in the country was introduced in 2021 and is aimed at phasing out old and unfit vehicles plying on Indian roads. It is aimed at reducing pollution while simultaneously promoting cleaner transportation.

Earlier in October, the Delhi Government approved a tax rebate for scrapping old vehicles to promote clean air, under this incentive scheme buyer can avail tax rebate when scrapping their older vehicle. The primary aim of this initiative is to remove all the older and more polluting vehicles from the roads of Delhi and bring new energy vehicles (NEVs) like EVs, plugin hybrids or CNG vehicles on the road.

As per the scheme, the buyers of any new Non Commercial petrol or CNG vehicles will be eligible for a 20 percent tax rebate and those who opts for commercial petrol and CNG vehicles will get a 15 percent rebate, while the diesel vehicle buyers will be benefitted with a 10 percent rebate. This incentive scheme will apply to vehicle purchases that were made within three years of scrapping an old vehicle.