Indian government has urged the auto makers to shift towards advanced Bharat Stage V and VI emission norms almost a year ahead of the schedule. Earlier, it was decided that the auto makers will adopt Bharat Stage V and VI emission norms in 2019 and 2023, respectively. It is believed that this move has been taken by the government following outcry over worsening quality of air in Indian cities.
Expressing his views on the same, the Senior Director of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Atanu Ganguli was quoted as saying, “The auto industry has agreed to compress the deadline by a year. All we need is development time to make and test vehicles suited to Indian conditions, its weather and terrains."
Industry experts are of a view that this move by the Indian government will lead to an increment in the prices of diesel models by Rs. 30000 to Rs. 50000. Also, if the industry plans to switch to BS VI norms, another increase of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 40,000 will be imposed on diesel vehicles. Sources revealed that road ministry has pressurized the auto industry to reduce the emissions. The same department is also in the favor of imposing BS IV norms all over India. Notably, the norms introduced in 2010 are presently enforced in 38 Indian cities.
It must be noted that the Indian government is concentrating over the norms for fuel efficiency albeit; it is in against of the order of National Green Tribunal to ban diesel vehicles of more than 10 years of tenure in Delhi. Speaking on this, a senior government official said, “A good engine is not limited by age. The fuel quality has to be improved to ensure pollution levels come down."
