Government Wants BS V and VI Norms to be Implemented Sooner Than Planned

The move from BS IV to V will cause the the cost of diesel vehicles to rise by about Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 50,000. The switch from BS V to VI will cost an additional Rs 20,000-40,000.

While the government is pushing for BS V and VI norms, it is interesting to note that the BS IV norms, which were first introduced in 2010, are yet to be implemented across the country. For now, only 38 cities in India follow BS IV norms.

This move comes even as the government is struggling with the National Green Tribunal's order to ban diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi. It is said to be working on putting together a vigorous mechanism for inspection of vehicles.

India's automobile industry doesn't think taking about 1.19 lakh private diesel cars along with almost 35,000 commercial vehicles off the road will help the government deal with the city's constantly growing pollution. The industry believes the endeavour to bring the city's pollution under control would do well with a policy to scrap old vehicles along with stricter norms for vehicle fitness, pollution checks, and fuel quality.