The government’s call to scrap vehicles older than 20 years has shocked vintage vehicle owners in Bengaluru.
Many in the city prize their vintage vehicles, and a host of clubs celebrate their passion for older automobiles.
Active clubs include the Jawa Club, Enfield Club, Yamaha-Escorts RD 350 Club, and the Yamaha RX 100 Club. Retro scooters such as Lambretta, Vespa, and Innocenti also have clubs dedicated to them.
Govt announcement
When Nirmala Sitharaman, finance minister, made her budget speech in February, she said the government would encourage ‘voluntary scrapping’ of vehicles older than 20 years.
“The policy doesn’t consider all aspects of roadworthiness. Recommending scrapping only on the basis of age doesn’t make sense. It completely disregards good care of vehicles,” says Akshay Pawar, banker and owner of two vintage two-wheelers.
Vintage vehicles preserve precious memories, and by scrapping old vehicles, we deprive younger generations of a first-hand knowledge of automotive history. Those who have seen their parents and grandparents ride these vehicles should carry the legacy forward, the community argues.
“My 1971 Bajaj 150 is a hand-me-down. It served my father every day, then took my elder brother to college, and now is my son’s preferred mode of transport to school,” says Pawar.
The new policy needs to consider maintenance when it comes to a vehicle’s roadworthiness. Collecting heavy fees for fitness testing is no way to go, vehicle lovers say.
“When we speak about old vehicles, we should keep in mind we have antique, vintage, classic vehicles. The scrappage policy will do more harm than good,” says Martin Franklin Jose, secretary of the Bangalore Jawa-Yezdi Motorcycle Sports Association, which boasts 1,500 members.
Jawa and Yezdi bikes, manufactured in Mysuru, enjoy a special place in the hearts of Bengaluru vehicle lovers.
“These vehicles have been handed down from generations and it is a matter of pride and joy for their owners. They are not just used for daily commutes but also for weekend trips,” he says.
By his reckoning, four in five vintage bikes comply with all regulatory and pollution norms.
“Our members keep their bikes in pristine condition. We get fitness certificates and promptly pay taxes,” says Vishal Agarwal, member of the RD 350 club Bengaluru.
The surface transport ministry is set to release an advisory in the next 45 days, and the community hopes it will take into account the concerns of vintage vehicle lovers.
Sathyakeerthy, 52 and a member of Bikers of India-RX Chapter, owns an RX 135. He is upset with the new policy. “My bike is maintained well and I would like to keep it with me forever,” he says.
Lovers of old bikes are not impressed with newer models from companies with a proud legacy.
“These don’t have the character that their classic predecessors do. The government must give older vehicles a heritage tag and encourage owners who maintain them well,” says senior vintage bike enthusiast Commuri Venkatadri.
What’s in the new law?
Those who scrap old vehicles get discounts on new vehicles.
Scrapping expected to boost auto industry turnover by 30 per cent.
Fitness test mandatory for personal vehicles older than 20 yrs.
Old vehicles will have to pay a ‘green tax.’
Fitness tests to be automated to ward off corruption.
(Draft makes no mention of vintage vehicles in mint condition.)