The government is considering a new 'Green Charge' on old, polluting trucks, buses, and goods vehicles entering the Core NCR area, which lies within the Western and Eastern Peripheral Expressways. The charge will be collected at 34 entry points along these ring expressways using a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system, allowing vehicles to pass without stopping.
Separate from Environment Compensation Charge
According to sources, this levy will be distinct from the environment compensation charge (ECC) that trucks, buses, and goods vehicles already pay at Delhi's borders before entering the national capital. The 'Green Contribution Scheme' is being finalized after several discussions at the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and is expected to be implemented from October to November, when Delhi and adjoining areas experience severe air pollution. The scheme will cover approximately 5,000 square kilometers of the National Capital Region (NCR).
Proposed Charges
Individuals familiar with the discussions have indicated that the green charge may be around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,300 for trucks and buses, and Rs 500 to Rs 650 for light goods vehicles and mini-buses. There are also considerations about levying a charge on diesel-fuelled commercial cars.
Under the proposal, overhead gantries will be installed at the identified entry points along the 270-kilometer ring expressway network. These gantries will be equipped with high-power cameras capable of reading vehicle registration numbers and makes, as well as advanced readers for FASTag. The green charge will be deducted directly from the vehicle's FASTag wallet.
Revenue Sharing and Utilization
Sources have revealed that discussions are ongoing regarding the sharing of funds generated from the green charge between Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, as well as the mechanism for utilizing the revenue.
The government is also accelerating the rollout of the Parivartan scheme, which aims to replace old trucks and buses (BS-I to BS-IV) with vehicles meeting BS-VI emission norms and other cleaner alternatives. Recently, senior officials from the road transport ministry held a lengthy meeting with all district collectors to raise awareness about the scheme and encourage vehicle owners to take advantage of it. So far, two major automobile companies have signed memorandums of understanding to provide discounts for replacing old trucks and buses in Delhi-NCR.
