Delhi Air Pollution: BS-VI Grade Auto Fuels To Be Introduced

The Government of India has been working improving the air quality in the country and while issues like fog and smog have been faced not only in Delhi but other cities across the country, it's now time to take some drastic measures. Now, given the fact that the pollution levels have reached serious levels, the Petroleum Ministry in consultation with Public Oil Marketing Companies has decided for pre-ponement of BS-VI grade auto fuels in NCT of Delhi with effect from April 1, 2018 instead of April 1, 2020. In fact, Petroleum Ministry OMCs have also been asked to examine the possibility of introduction of BS-VI auto fuels in the whole of NCR area from April 1, 2019

The first, or rather baby step, in this direction was taken when the Government announced that that BS-IV grade fuel will be mandatory in all vehicles from April 1, 2017. Though there was a huge loss that the two-wheeler and Commercial vehicle industry incurred, the step was in the right direction, especially considering that cuts in emissions were the need of the hour.

In fact, the Government in consultation with stakeholders had decided to meet international standards, and skip the BS-V grade, and go straight to BS-VI, which will come into force on April 1, 2020. The Oil Ministry had assured the supply of Bharat Stage-VI fuel to meet this promise. For this, two-thirds of India's state-owned refineries will need upgradation and the government says it will cost them Rs. 60,000 crores.

According to the Centre for Science and Environment, the move to Bharat Stage-VI will bring down Nitrogen Oxide emissions from diesel cars by 68 per cent and 25 per cent from petrol engined cars. Cancer causing particulate matter emissions from diesel engined cars will also come down by a phenomenal 80 per cent.