Thrissur: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticised the Kerala government for extending the operating life of government vehicles and KSRTC buses, saying the move bypasses the national vehicle scrappage policy aimed at phasing out old and polluting vehicles.

The tribunal directed the Kerala Transport Commissioner to explain the delay in scrapping ageing vehicles and submit a detailed report on the steps taken by the state to implement the Centre’s vehicle scrappage policy.

The order was issued by the Chennai bench of the National Green Tribunal when Kerala Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam appeared before the tribunal through video conference.

The tribunal had earlier directed the transport commissioner to appear in person and explain why the state had failed to comply with its July 14, 2021, order to phase out and scrap old vehicles operating in Kerala.

In response, the commissioner submitted a report stating that vehicles operating beyond their prescribed service period undergo strict inspections at automatic vehicle testing stations before being allowed to run.

However, the tribunal said the report lacked crucial details and was incomplete.

The tribunal noted that the report did not specify the manufacturing year of the vehicles inspected and failed to provide clear data on how many vehicles were declared unfit for operation.

It directed the state transport department to submit a revised and comprehensive report clarifying these details.

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The tribunal also questioned the Kerala government’s decision to extend the service life of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses from 15 years to 22 years, observing that the claim that such an extension would not increase environmental pollution is doubtful.

It pointed out that both the Central government and the Supreme Court of India have repeatedly emphasised the need to phase out ageing vehicles to reduce pollution and improve road safety.

“In such circumstances, it is not logical for states to extend the service life of vehicles,” the tribunal observed.

The tribunal further noted that the exemption from scrappage appears to apply only to public sector vehicles, such as government vehicles and KSRTC buses.