Bharat-II norms not likely in city before April

HYDERABAD: It could take some time for the Bharat-II and Euro-II anti-emission norms to take effect in Hyderabad.
The action plan on the implementation of these emission rules has been submitted to the Centre, which in turn needs to first submit its auto fuel policy to the Supreme Court for clearance.
This can happen only after all other states put in their respective action plans, which the Centre would consolidate and submit to the apex court for approval.
So tentatively the full implementation of these norms in the city can happen only around April next year, Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials said. Both Bharat-II and Euro-II rules aim at improving a car’s fuel efficiency, thereby cutting emissions.
This can be done through the use of alternative fuels such as CNG, LPG or ethanol and upgradation of automobile technology. Once these stipulations are implemented in full, the levels of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide in the air are likely to fall significantly.
As the first step in this direction, about 50 of the city’s 80,000 auto-rickshaws have been fitted with LPG kits. But the state government has no plans of subsidising the conversion process, say RTA officials.
As a further step, the Pollution Control Board and Environment Protection Agency have set up a number of petrol testing centres. More such centres are likely to come up soon.
But once the Bharat-II norms are implemented in full, the number of LPG refuelling centres in the city is likely to go up to more than 30.
According to the state government’s action plan, the Euro-II norms will be applicable to all new buses, goods vehicles, three-wheelers and four-wheel vehicles of 3.5 tonnes and below laden weight.
All the 500 petrol taxis in the city will be converted to LPGoperated vehicles and taxi permits for the more than 10-yearold vehicles will be cancelled.