KSRTC to begin vehicle scrapping centers to raise revenues

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSRTC has invited letter of interest to begin vehicle scrapping centers with private partnership in all districts of the state. In addition to this, there is a plan to begin automatic testing centers too.

According to the central government’s ‘Scrap Policy’, machine-based fitness examination is mandatory from next April for commercial vehicles. And for private vehicles, it is from June, 2024. Those vehicles that fail the fitness examination will be demolished.

The central government has stipulated that there should be at least three vehicle scrapping centers in each district. Once the scrap policy of the central government was announced, that the scraping and testing centers must be in the public and private sector.

In the high-level meeting in which Chief Secretary, VP Joy, attended, the KSRTC has been ordered to begin vehicle scrapping centers. If scrapping centers are begun by the government, then exploitation by private centers can be avoided.

In the state there are about 1.40 crores of vehicles. Out of these, 35 lakh vehicles are twenty years old. The decision of the government is to demolish twenty-year-old private vehicle and fifteen-year-old commercial vehicles on the basis of performance.

To begin a vehicle scrapping center, at least two acres of land is needed. There must be facility to keep the vehicles and for the plant itself. KSRTC have a total of 172.86 hector of land in almost all districts. Most of this land is left unused.

Once a vehicle is given for demolishing, an amount for the vehicle will be decided (face value) and given to the owner.