Bharat Stage VI Emission Norms To Be Applicable From 2020

Pollution has been rightfully a growing concern in the country off late. This matter and the relevant numbers have lead the government to undertake many measures to help not only control but also reduce pollution in India. One of the most contentious among these endeavours, the accelerated timeline for Bharat Stage VI norms, has now officially been notified to be applicable from 1 April, 2020.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) had invited suggestions and recommendations in February 2016 about BS VI implementation. However, stakeholders recommended a delay in the rollout of BS VI emission norms. Interestingly, reports also claimed that Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) made the case for the delay by pronouncing that the involved industries would need an investment of nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore in order to adhere to the proposed timeline.

However, MORTH issued a notification in the Gazette of India on 16 September wherein it is stated that the new emission norms are to be introduced in accordance with the timeline that was originally proposed. The notification also details the mass emission standards for BS VI.

SIAM also expressed its commitment "to meet the challenge of achieving to BS VI emission norms by 2020". Vinod Dasari, President, SIAM, said, "India has been the fastest at adopting new safety and emission norms. This leap frog would make India the first country in the world to accomplish such an accelerated progression in vehicular emission norms." However, he also cautioned against changes or delays in the guidelines "once the industry has chosen to go down the path of leapfrogging the emission norms".

To that end, Mr Dasari added the auto industry hopes the oil industry will also do its duty by not only making the required fuel available in accordance with the new timeline but also have testing fuel available a year sooner. Furthermore, he also spoke of the the exemptions to oil companies regarding some fuel specifications, adding that it will only make it difficult for carmakers to meet other mandatory norms like on fuel efficiency.