Thaindian News

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) With Bharat stage IV norms for cleaner fuel coming into force in 13 cities April 1, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an NGO, Wednesday urged the government to not succumb to pressure from the automobile industry to defer clean fuel norms in the remaining parts of the country.
Starting Thursday, 13 cities in India will have Bharat stage IV norms for fuel and vehicles. Bharat stage III norms will come into force in the rest of the country.

According to a statement issued by the CSE, the oil industry is phasing the supply of the lower grade Bharat stage III fuels whereas the automobile industry wants the proposed emissions standards for vehicles deferred until the final date of phase-in of cleaner fuel, which is October.

“The government must make both the automobile industry and the oil companies follow the same phase-in schedule for Bharat stage III fuels. Sixteen key states, except Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand and the north-eastern states, will have Bharat Stage III fuels by June and they must not be deprived of the benefits of improved vehicle technology and fuel quality,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, head of CSE’s air pollution team.

CSE says that over 2009-2010, the demand for petrol in the country has increased by 14 percent which implies that the number of personal vehicles is increasing.

While Bharat stage IV emissions standards will cut emissions by half in new vehicles, Bharat stage III standards are expected to reduce emissions by about 38 percent from the currently in-use Bharat stage II levels.

The sulphur content in Bharat stage IV diesel and petrol will reduce to 50 ppm and in Bharat stage III diesel and petrol to 350 ppm and 150 ppm, respectively. Sulphur in fuel contributes to the formation of particulate matter that has serious health consequences, according to CSE.

“We have urged the government not to give in to the industry’s pressure and implement the new standards with utmost urgency and stringency to be able to meet the pollution reduction objectives in cities,” said the NGO.

CSE also urged the government to work on its plans for uniformly introducing Bharat stage IV standards across the country and set a timeline for Euro V/VI emissions standards for both oil and automobile sectors.