Government decides to enforce BS-VI norms from April 2020, skips BS-V

In a major decision, the Indian government has decided to implement Bharat Standard - VI (BS VI) emission norms for by April 1, 2020, and altogether skipping the BS-V norms. BS norms are the equivalent of euro norms.

Union road, transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari described it as "a revolutionary decision.important to address pollution." According to him, along with Swacch Bharat, India should also become a pollution-free country.

"We have decided that we will move to BS-VI norms across the country directly from BS-IV norms by April 1, 2020," he said. The petroleum ministry would spend Rs30,000 crore for upgrading refineries to ensure clean fuel technology.

The minister was confident the auto industry would support the government's decision. "We will support them in the difficulties that they face but to control pollution, they also need to support us," he said. "Many auto companies already export car engines which support the BS VI norms. Moreover, we have given them time till 2020 to implement it."

The government's decision came a day after the Supreme Court urged it to implement clean vehicular fuel norms amid growing concerns on increasing air pollution. The apex court wanted the government to advance the date of implementation of BS-VI, originally scheduled to come into force in April 2021.

The move is expected to result in a Rs30,000 to Rs40,000 increase in the cost of cars.

Source : BS Motoring