NEW DELHI: The government has laid out a phased programme for introducing Euro-IV vehicular emission norms in the country by 2010. This will require an investment of Rs 55,000 crore by oil and automobile companies in improving fuel quality and vehicular engine specifications.
Addressing a news conference in the Capital on Monday, petroleum minister Ram Naik said the Cabinet has approved an auto fuel policy that lays a roadmap for implementing Euro-II, III and IV vehicular emission standards by 2010.
All automobiles and fuel — petrol and diesel — will have to meet Euro-III emission specifications in the above 11 cities from April 1, 2005 and Euro-IV norms by April 1, 2010. The rest of the country will have Euro-III emission norm compliant automobiles and fuels by 2010.
The Bharat stage II (equivalent to Euro-II norms), which are currently in place in 11 cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur and Agra — will be applicable to all automobiles throughout the country from April 1, 2005.
For two/three wheelers, Bharat Stage-II norms will be applicable from April 1, 2005 and Euro-III norms would come in force preferably from April 1, 2008 but not later than April 1, 2010, he said.
“The domestic oil refineries, which have already invested Rs 10,000 crore to achieve Euro-I auto fuel specifications, would need to incur an additional investment of around Rs 18,000 crore by 2005 and another Rs 12,000 crore by 2010. The investment requirement of the automobile industry is estimated at around Rs 25,000 crore over this period,” Mr Naik said.
Petroleum minister said the policy broadly gives a roadmap for achieving various vehicular emission norms over a period of time and corresponding fuel quality upgradation requirements.
“While it does not recommend any particular fuel or technology for achieving the desired emission norms, it suggests, taking into account security of supplies and existing logistics perspectives, that liquid fuels should remain as main auto fuels throughout the country and that the use of CNG/LPG be encouraged in cities affected by higher pollution levels,” he said.
The ministry of petroleum and natural gas will ensure fuel quality while the ministry for road transport and highways will monitor automobiles engine specifications. Pollution checks will be the responsibility of ministry of environment.
“The auto fuel policy has deviated from the RA Mashelkar Committee recommendations on two counts. Firstly, the fiscal concessions like excise duty relief have not been provided immediately. This aspect will be looked after in the annual budget. Secondly, the proposal to form a national automobile pollution and fuel authority has not been accepted and individual ministers will continue to monitor standards,” he said.
Mr Naik said after April 1, 2007, inter-state buses/trucks would not be allowed to originate/terminate in Delhi unless they meet minimum of euro-I emission norms. The cut off point for meeting Euro-II norms will be April 1, 2011.
“In other cities, all inter-state buses will have to meet a minimum of 1996 emission norms from April 1, 2006 and Euro-I norm from April 2008,” he added.
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