| VEHICULAR
POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Vehicles
are the major source of air pollution in the urban areas. During the past few
years, various steps have been taken to reduce vehicular emissions and its effect
is evident on ambient air quality. Ambient air quality in Delhi with respect to
nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and respirable particulate matter has shown
improvement in 2000 as compared to the levels in 1999. Important steps taken during
the year 2000 to reduce the vehicular emissions are as follows:
Vehicle Technology
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Bharat Stage - I norms (Euro - I norms) are being implemented for all categories
of vehicles throughout the country with effect from 1.4.2000.
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Mass emission for CNG vehicles has been notified on 9.2.2000.
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Bharat Stage - II norms (Euro - II) for private non - commercial vehicles notified
on 31.1.2000 are being implemented from 1.4.2000 in National Capital Region.
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Post 1990 in-use Auto, taxies and buses are being replaced with CNG driven vehicles
from 1.4.2000.
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The ratio of sale of 4-stroke to 2-stroke two-wheelers in 2000 has increased throughout
the country.
Fuel
Quality Diesel
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Diesel with 0.25% sulphur has been introduced throughout the country from 1.1.2000.
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Diesel with 0.05% sulphur has been introduced in National Capital Region for private
non-commercial vehicles from 1.4.2000 and in Mumbai for all categories of vehicles
from 1.1.2000.
Gasoline
- Leaded gasoline
phased out throughout the country from 1.2.2000.
-
Gasoline with sulphur contents of 0.1% has been introduced throughout the country
from 1.4.2000.
-
Gasoline with sulphur contents of 0.05% has been introduced in National Capital
Region for all categories of petrol vehicles from 1.4.2000 and in Mumbai from
1.10.2000.
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Benzene in gasoline with 3% has been introduced in Metros from 1.4.2000.
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Benzene in gasoline with 1% introduced in NCT - Delhi from 1.11.2000.
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CNG filling station in NCT Delhi has been increased to 60.
Constitution
of Committees -
Inter-ministerial Task Force to evolve a long-term policy and road map to be followed
in vehicular emission standards and Auto fuel quality.
-
Expert Committee on Reformulated and low Benzene petrol constituted by committee
of Secretaries, Government of India.
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Report of the working group on fuel quality for 2005 has been submitted in December
2000.
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