An image claiming a list of two-stroke two-wheelers to be banned from April 1st 2019 onward is making rounds on the internet and many WhatsApp groups
For those of you who are not aware, the two-stroke engines went out of production back in the year 2007-2008 in the first world countries. The manufacturers stopped the production of two-stroke motorcycles in India back in the year 2010 as the National Green Tribunal took strict steps to reduce air pollution.
There is no doubt that the two-stroke vehicle causes more pollution and also consume more fuel at the same time and that is the reason why all the regional RTOs has stopped registering 15-year-old two stroke vehicle in India. Although the Government has stopped the registration of these vehicles, still our country has one of the highest population of two-stroke vehicles active on road.
Although the Government has not released any official statement anywhere yet, an image is making rounds on the internet and also in many Whatsapp groups which shows a list of two-stroke motorcycles that will be banned from April 2019 onward. The list of two-stroke motorcycles and scooters that will be banned from April 2019 onward (according to the image) includes the Yamaha RX100, RX135, RX-Z, Kinetic Honda, Kinetic Bajaj Enduro, Bajaj Chetak, Suzuki Shogun/Shaolin, Suzuki Max 100R, Yezdi Roadking 250/350, etc.
However, we cannot completely confirm the fact, based simply on the image because a regional transport officer does not have an authority to ban any class of vehicles. Ultimately, it has to be the central government who has the authority and the power to take all the major decisions.
Moreover, banning only the two-stroke two-wheelers won’t be enough to reduce the carbon footprint there are plenty of two-stroke Auto rickshaws which still ply on the road today which too cause some serious amount of air pollution. The Indian Government is taking all the necessary steps in slowly phasing out the two-stroke two-wheelers from Indian road. The Indian Government even decided to pay a subsidy of Rs 30,000 to the Auto rickshaw owners who would upgrade to a four-stroke Auto rickshaw from a two-stroke one.
However, the Auto rickshaw owners think that the relief was not enough because a new four-stroke Auto rickshaw would cost almost rupees 2 Lakh. There is still a lot that needs to be done to reduce or control air pollution. Do share your views as well to let us know whether you think that banning the two-wheelers will be the right decision or not to reduce air pollution.