Kolkata: In a major move to modernize its vehicle fleet, the West Bengal government has kicked off a large-scale cleanup drive to scrap nearly 22,000 government vehicles that are over 15 years old, a senior official revealed.

The drive, which is already underway, focuses on phasing out old vehicles used by various departments, especially the police and transport sectors. The state government is pushing to replace these aging vehicles primarily with electric models, aiming for a greener and more sustainable fleet.

“At least 698 vehicles from the police department, 481 from transport, and 710 from different public sector undertakings have been marked for decommissioning,” the official told PTI. “Departments like Public Works, Panchayat, and Public Health Engineering have collectively listed over 19,000 vehicles for scrapping, bringing the total close to 22,000.”

The transport department has already started identifying these old vehicles and has instructed all departments to withdraw them from service. The list includes all kinds of vehicles, many of which have been in use for more than 15 years.

As these vehicles are being phased out, many departments have begun procuring replacements. The official emphasized that electric vehicles are the priority in this new procurement push.

“This shift toward electric vehicles reflects our commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly practices,” the official said.

Additionally, several departments are moving away from owning vehicles outright and are opting to rent vehicles instead. This move is driven by both budget considerations and the desire for greater flexibility and efficiency in managing government transport.

“This is a significant change in how government transport services are handled,” the official noted. “It also helps curb misuse, as government vehicles have often been used for personal purposes or assigned to individuals who aren’t entitled to them.”

Regarding the old vehicles, they have been moved to government-owned open spaces and depots, where they will be stored before being scrapped in phases. The entire process is being carried out strictly in line with the Supreme Court’s guidelines.

Overall, this initiative aims to modernize the government’s vehicle fleet while promoting sustainability and reducing misuse.