HIGHLIGHTS 2001
VEHICULAR POLLUTION

Automobiles constitute a major source of air pollution in the urban areas. Several initiatives have been taken to reduce vehicular emissions. In recent years, the impacts of pollution control initiatives are reflected on the air quality. Ambient air quality in metro cities especially in Delhi indicates decreasing trends with respect to the regulatory pollutants over the years. Important steps taken for vehicular pollution control during the year are as follow:

Vehicle Technology & Emission Norms

  • Bharat Stage-II emission norms for new private non-commercial vehicles were made effective in Mumbai from 01.01.2001 and in Chennai and Kolkata from 01.07.2001
  • Bharat Stage-II emission norms for new commercial vehicles implemented in NCT-Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai from October 2001.
  • Introduction of 4-stroke two wheelers replacing 2-stroke two wheelers increased in 2001.

Fuel Quality

  • Gasoline sulphur content reduced to 0.05% from 0.1% max. in Greater Mumbai from 01.01.2001 and in Chennai from 01.07.2001.
  • Diesel sulphur content reduced to 0.05% in NCT-Delhi from 01.03.2001, in NCR from 30.06.2001, in Greater Mumbai from 01.01.2001, in Kolkata and Chennai from 01.07.2001.

Alternative Fuels & Vehicles

·        Emission norms for CNG & LPG powered vehicles notified during 2001.

·        Number of CNG dispensing stations increased to 87 in Delhi.

·        Number of registered CNG vehicles in Delhi increased during the year.

Auto Fuel Policy
  • Gasoline sulphur content reduced to 0.05% from 0.1% max. in Greater Mumbai from 01.01.2001 and in Chennai from An Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Vehicular Emission Norms & Fuel Quality, headed by the Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, submitted its report in March 2001. The Task Force recommended that Bharat Stage-II emission norms to be implemented all over the country and Bharat Stage-III norms to be implemented in seven mega cities by 2005. Also, the Task Force recommended that time limit for extending Bharat Stage III (EURO-III equivalent) norms throughout the country may be decided within one year.
  • An Expert Committee on "Auto-Fuel Policy" was constituted during November 2001 under the Chairmanship of Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research. The Committee submitted its interim report on 31.12.2001. The Committee recommended that Euro-II/Bharat Stage-II norms to be implemented throughout the country and Euro-III norms to be implemented in seven mega cities from 2005 and Euro-III norms to be enforced all over the country by 2010.
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