Govt. To Promote Innovative And Environment-Friendly Vehicles To Curb Vehicular Emissions

Stressing upon the government’s resolve to curb vehicular emissions and protect the environment, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Munsukh L Mandaviya on Monday highlighted the initiatives undertaken to reduce vehicular pollution across the country. He asserted that the government has taken proactive steps to promote innovative and environment-friendly vehicles.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the minister enumerated several steps taken by the government in this regard. He threw light on the application of Bharat Stage-IV fuel norms in the country and said the norms have been applicable since 2010 in Delhi NCR and certain other cities, and have been mandated in phase-wise manner across the country.

He added that government notification No. G.S.R. 643(E), dated 19^th August 2015, issued by the ministry had paved the way for the introduction of BS- IV fuel-compliant vehicles throughout the country by 2017, and notification No. GSR 889(E) dated 16th September, 2016, mandated mass emission standards for BS-VI throughout the country w.e.f. from 1st, April 2020.

The minister reiterated that steps were taken by notifying on fuels like ethanol, biogas, electric hybrid etc. by amending the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.

He further put forth that the National Green Tribunal had, vide its order dated 18^th July 2016 .A. 21 of 2014, Vardhaman Kaushik V/s Union of India, directed that diesel vehicles older than 10 years shall be de-registered in NCR of Delhi. He said that the orders were being complied with and de-registration of such vehicles was being carried out by the respective state governments.

He also commented on the proposed vehicle fleet modernisation programme. The initiative is designed to ensure that older fuel-guzzling and pollution-causing vehicles are effectively phased out and replaced with fuel-efficient and environment-friendly vehicles.

He said the concept note on vehicle fleet modernisation programme has been placed on the ministry’s official website for information and comments from ministries, departments and other stakeholders. The matter was placed before the Committee of Secretaries for recommendations, he said.

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