Vehicle Scrapping Plant Setup in Maharashtra

In late 2024, a Nagpur-based auto parts trader, Rajesh, realized that thousands of end-of-life cars and commercial vehicles were arriving at local yards every month — yet no formal RVSF (Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility) existed within 80–100 km. Buyers were calling him for recycled steel, aluminium, plastics, and spare components, but without a structured plant, he couldn’t meet the demand.

That’s when he discovered how Maharashtra’s auto corridor, policy incentives, and new scrappage norms could turn a compliance requirement into a high-margin business opportunity.

This blog walks you through the same journey — from choosing the right MIDC zone to completing MoRTH and PCB approvals — so you can set up a compliant and profitable vehicle scrapping plant in Maharashtra.

RVSF Plant setup

Why Maharashtra Is a Prime Market for Vehicle Scrapping

Maharashtra has one of India’s highest vehicle populations, making it a strategic hub for RVSF units.
Here’s the context:

  • Mumbai–Pune belt contributes the largest retired vehicle count in Maharashtra.
  • Cities like Nagpur, Nashik, and Aurangabad have high CV (Commercial Vehicle) scrappage volume due to logistics traffic.
  • State policies encourage recycling and circular economy businesses.

For business owners, this means predictable demand, steady inflow of end-of-life vehicles, and strong resale markets for recovered materials.

Best Industrial Zones for RVSF Units (MIDC Areas)

Before shortlisting land, business owners should understand that an RVSF must comply with zoning standards, pollution norms, and access to transport routes. Maharashtra’s MIDC zones are ideal because they already fall under industrial use.

Suitable MIDC clusters include:

  • Taloja, Navi Mumbai – strong metal recycling ecosystem
  • Patalganga – proximity to Mumbai–Pune Highway
  • Chakan & Ranjangaon (Pune) – automotive OEM belt
  • Butibori (Nagpur) – huge land availability, logistics network
  • Shendra–Bidkin (Aurangabad) – DMIC development region
  • Waluj MIDC – established automotive clusters

What to look for:

  • Minimum 4,000–10,000 sq. m open land
  • Distance from residential zones
  • Road access for heavy vehicles
  • High-tension electricity availability
  • Effluent & waste management infrastructure inside MIDC

A business in Pune’s Chakan cluster, for example, cut inbound logistics cost by nearly 20% simply because surrounding districts already had ageing commercial fleets ready for scrapping.

High-End Vehicle Supply From the Mumbai–Pune Auto Corridor

The Mumbai–Pune expressway region has consistent availability of:

  • Private cars older than 10–15 years
  • Ride-hailing fleet vehicles
  • Delivery vans and LCVs
  • Heavy trucks and buses crossing JNPT and Pune industrial belts

This supply chain benefits RVSFs through:

  • Guaranteed monthly vehicle inflow
  • Strong secondary market for spare parts
  • High-volume ferrous and non-ferrous metal recovery
  • Predictable margins for recycled materials

A recycler operating near Khopoli shared that material recovery from just 200 cars per month covered nearly 70% of their operating expenses.

Approvals Required Under Vahan, MoRTH & PCB

Setting up an RVSF requires compliance with central and state-level authorities.
Here’s a simplified explanation.

Key Approvals Needed

  • RVSF Authorization from MoRTH (Government of India)
  • Integration with Vahan Portal for Certificate of Vehicle Scrapping
  • Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Approvals
    • CTE (Consent to Establish)
    • CTO (Consent to Operate)
  • Factory License (if >10 workers)
  • Labour Registrations (Shops & Establishments or Factories Act)
  • Fire NOC
  • Waste Disposal Tie-ups (hazardous fluids, oils, airbags, etc.)
  • Building & Layout Approval (local authority or MIDC)

Compliance Risks

A Mumbai-based operator faced a 4-month delay because their effluent layout didn’t match PCB’s approved engineering drawing — emphasizing the need for exact technical documentation.

Machinery Setup: Depollution, Dismantling & Shredding Line

Once permissions are underway, machinery planning becomes critical.
A compliant RVSF must follow a sequential process:

Core Machinery List

  • Vehicle washing station
  • Depollution rigs (fuel, oils, coolants extraction)
  • Tyre remover & wheel lifters
  • Battery removal station
  • Catalytic converter cutting system
  • Dismantling tools & hydraulic lifts
  • Material segregation conveyors
  • Shear baler
  • Shredding line (optional but recommended)
  • Weighbridge
  • CCTV & IT systems (mandatory for RVSF licensing)

A Pune operator installed a basic belted conveyor line and doubled throughput within 3 months — significantly improving material recovery efficiency.

Investment Cost, Land Requirement & OPEX Overview

Below is a realistic cost structure based on typical RVSF setups in Maharashtra.

Table 1: CAPEX Estimate for RVSF Setup in Maharashtra

Component Cost Range (₹ Lakhs to Cr)
Land (1–2 acres, MIDC lease) 60–150 lakhs
Civil works & sheds 40–70 lakhs
Depollution machinery 35–55 lakhs
Dismantling line 30–50 lakhs
Shredder + shear baler 1.2–3.5 crore
IT, CCTV, Vahan integration 10–15 lakhs
Licensing & consulting 8–20 lakhs
Working capital (initial) 20–40 lakhs

Interpretation:
Machinery and land account for nearly 70% of total CAPEX, making accurate land selection critical.

Table 2: Monthly Operating Cost (OPEX)

Expense Monthly (₹ lakhs)
Skilled labour & staff 6–9
Electricity 2–5
Waste disposal (hazardous fluids, airbags) 1–2
Lease rent (MIDC) 1–3
Maintenance 2–4
Admin + compliance 1–2

Interpretation:
Labour and electricity form the majority of operational expenses; automation reduces cost over time.

State Incentives Under Maharashtra Industrial Policy

Maharashtra encourages recycling, sustainability, and circular economy projects.
Eligible benefits include:

  • Capital Subsidy (varies by district zone classification)
  • Interest Subsidy for term loans
  • Stamp Duty Exemption for new units
  • Power Tariff Concessions for MSMEs
  • Electricity Duty Exemption (in select regions)
  • SGST Refunds for manufacturing-linked operations

For plants in backward regions like Vidarbha or Marathwada, incentives can significantly improve payback periods.

Target Vehicles: End-of-Life Cars, 2W, CV & Fleet Operators

Typical inflow sources for RVSFs include:

  • Individual owners scrapping 10–15-year-old vehicles
  • Taxi and fleet aggregators
  • Logistics companies retiring LCVs & trucks
  • Insurance total-loss vehicles
  • Seized vehicles from enforcement agencies

Each category offers different revenue strengths — for example, commercial fleets provide consistent monthly volume.

Compliance Under the Vehicle Scrapping Policy, 2021

The policy mandates:

  • Safe depollution
  • Complete dismantling of chassis
  • Transparent issuance of Certificate of Deposit (CoD)
  • Integration with Vahan database
  • Material recovery in line with environmental norms

Non-Compliance Example

A western India yard lost its application because it stored depolluted fuels in non-authorized drums. Proper hazardous waste storage is mandatory, and deviations can lead to suspension.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up an RVSF in Maharashtra

A clear roadmap ensures smooth execution.

Stepwise Implementation

  • Identify suitable MIDC land
  • Prepare concept layout + machinery list
  • Apply for MPCB CTE
  • Begin civil construction parallel to MoRTH application
  • Procure depollution & dismantling machinery
  • Install CCTV, weighbridge & IT infrastructure
  • Apply for Factory License / Labour registrations
  • Secure MPCB CTO after installation
  • Integrate with Vahan Portal
  • Begin trial runs and formal operations

Recommended Project Timeline

6–9 months, depending on land approvals and machinery readiness.

Conclusion

Setting up a vehicle scrapping plant in Maharashtra is both an environmental responsibility and a strong business opportunity. The state’s industrial infrastructure, vehicle density, and policy incentives make it one of India’s best markets for RVSFs.

Early compliance, correct documentation, and smart land selection not only avoid delays but also reduce operational stress and improve profitability.

If you’re planning a scrapping facility, getting expert help during permissions and layout planning can save months of back-and-forth with authorities.

📞 Need Guidance to Set Up Your RVSF?

Green Permits helps manufacturers, recyclers, and entrepreneurs navigate all compliance requirements — MoRTH licensing, PCB approvals, plant layout, documentation & machinery planning.

📞 +91 78350 06182
📧 wecare@greenpermits.in

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FAQs

Typically 4,000–10,000 sq. m, depending on capacity and machinery layout.

Generally 60–120 days, depending on documentation and inspection readiness.

Between ₹5–12 crore, based on machinery configuration and land cost.

Yes, MSMEs receive subsidies under the Maharashtra Industrial Policy.

Yes — CTE & CTO from MPCB are mandatory.