India, June 4 -- The Union government on Wednesday approved a Rs.9,585-crore scheme to replace around 200,000 BS-IV heavy vehicles, including 191,000 trucks and 16,329 buses, in Delhi-NCR with vehicles operating on cleaner BS-VI emission standards or CNG or battery, to curb air pollution in the region.

Under the scheme, vehicles owners have been offered a 5% interest subvention on loans for five years, monthly fuel vouchers of up to Rs.4,800, and 8% discount on ex-showroom price of new vehicles, as per a government release. To avail of the benefits, owners will have to scrap BS-III and older emission vehicles at authorised scrapping facilities.

"It is estimated that a single pre-BS heavy-duty vehicle emits as much as 14 BS-VI compliant ...