Old vehicle owners in Odisha to pay RC renewal fee at progressive rate!

Vehicle owners in Odisha may soon face a hefty increase in fees for renewing registration certificates (RC) for vehicles over 15 years old, according to a draft proposal from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This development will impact all categories of vehicles, from two-wheelers to heavy-duty buses and lorries, sources said on Tuesday.

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The proposed fees see significant hikes for vehicles over 20 years old. For motorcycles, the renewal could rise to Rs 2,000, for three-wheelers Rs 5,000, and for cars Rs 10,000. Medium passenger buses and goods vehicles are set for a renewal fee of Rs 25,000, while the fee for heavy vehicles could reach Rs 36,000.

Even vehicles older than 15 years would not be spared, with proposed fees of Rs 18,000 for heavy vehicles and Rs 12,000 for smaller vehicles. These proposed changes have elicited mixed reactions from vehicle owners across Odisha.

For example, in the state of Odisha, the current RC renewal fee for older two-wheelers is Rs 1,000, for three-wheelers Rs 2,500, and for cars Rs 3,000. The highest re-registration cost presently is Rs 6,000.

In contrast, Delhi enforces a ban on vehicles over 15 years old, aiming to reduce pollution and improve traffic flow alongside promoting scrappage policies.

Despite the government’s intentions, bus owners' outfits have voiced their dissatisfaction, fearing the increased costs will adversely affect their businesses. They are urging the government to consider the public interest and weigh the potential impacts on road safety and business viability, as underscored by road safety experts.

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“If the government hikes the fees by thirty per cent, it will be a financial burden on us. Private bus owners will not be able to sustain in a competitive market,” treasurer of Cuttack Private Bus Owners’ Association, Rabindra Kumar Singh said to OTV.

“Apart from the renewal fees, a commercial vehicle owner has to pay Green Tax during re-registration. This is all to discourage older vehicle owners and eliminate the vehicles,” road safety expert, Subrat Nanda expressed when contacted.