Pune, 17 January 2026: The Pune Regional Transport Office has recorded a sharp rise in green tax collection over the last five years, with total revenue nearing ₹70 crore. The tax is imposed on older vehicles to discourage prolonged use of polluting automobiles.
According to official data, green tax is charged on private vehicles once they complete 15 years, while commercial vehicles are taxed after eight years. The amount is collected during vehicle registration renewal or fitness certification.
Officials said better road conditions and improved vehicle maintenance have allowed many vehicles to remain in use well beyond the prescribed age limit, leading to higher tax collections.
The number of ageing vehicles on roads in Pune remains substantial. While around 40,000 new vehicles are registered every year, many owners prefer extending the life of their existing vehicles by renewing registrations and paying the green tax rather than investing in new ones. This trend has resulted in steady growth in revenue for the transport department.
Year-wise data shows a consistent increase. Green tax collection stood at about ₹13.58 crore in 2021 and has gradually risen each year, crossing ₹15 crore in the current financial year. Over five years, the cumulative figure has reached close to ₹70 crore, highlighting the tax’s growing financial importance.
At present, green tax rates are ₹2,000 for two-wheelers, ₹3,000 for petrol four-wheelers, and ₹3,400 for diesel four-wheelers. The policy is intended to reduce pollution by encouraging a shift towards newer and cleaner vehicles.
However, environmental activists have raised concerns over the utilisation of the funds. They argue that the revenue should be directly allocated to pollution control, sustainable transport projects, and traffic management improvements, rather than going into general government accounts.