By 2020, the Centre intends to fuel private cars with Bharat Stage (BS) VI fuel, a step it believes to be the only permanent solution to curb the rising levels of vehicular pollution across the country. At present, the bulk of vehicles ply on either BS-III or IV. After the Supreme Court expressed concern on November 19 over the deteriorating air quality of Delhi and called for urgent steps to counter it, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) filed an affidavit.
The affidavit draws out a roadmap to achieve all-India BS-IV compliance by April 1, 2017 and upgradation to BS-VI fuel by 2020. While the Ministry is discussing this proposal with oil marketing companies, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has already backed it. In its affidavit, the Petroleum Ministry said: “As per MoRTH, upgrading the Bharat Stage from BS-III to BS-IV and BS-IV to BS-V and thereon is the permanent solution for controlling pollution due to exhaust gases from vehicles, but this is dependent on the availability of automobile fuels.”
Addressing this concern on availability of fuels, the MoPNG assured the court that on January 1, 2015 the adoption of BS-IV, V and VI was considered with all stakeholders concerned. “It is proposed that BS-IV auto fuels will be extended to the entire country by April 1, 2017 as per schedule recommended by the Expert Committee on Auto Fuel Vision and Policy 2025.”
While this would be the first step, in the next phase the affidavit said: “The MoPNG is also considering a proposal to switch over directly from BS-IV to BS-VI by April 1, 2020 in the entire country instead of step-wise upgradation from BS-IV to BS-V and then BS-VI in the year 2024.” While dealing with a PIL by lawyer and social activist MC Mehta, the SC had shared the concern raised by amicus curiae and senior lawyer Harish Salve. The amicus curiae demanded that the Centre suggest an emergency response considering the deteriorating quality of Delhi air and advance emission standards to counter the Capital’s air pollution.
In a joint response by three different ministries, the Centre admitted: “Rapid growth of vehicles and absence of a roadmap for vehicular pollution control in the country are a contributing factor for rising levels of particulate matter in Delhi.” It raised apprehensions that given the fast growing pace of vehicular population, use of diesel vehicles and plying of old commercial vehicles over 15 years old, all positive steps taken in the direction of cleaning Delhi’s air will be negated.
The MoRTH also submitted a separate response in court suggesting that instead of banning 15-year-old private vehicles in Delhi, as suggested by the National Green Tribunal, they may be subjected to regular fitness tests within regular intervals of five years instead of the existing 15 years regime. The 15-year-ban should be applicable to only private vehicles, the Ministry said.
