• Thefirst State emission normscame into force in 1991 forPetrol vehiclesand in1992 for Diesel vehicles.
• FromApril 1995,fitting ofcatalytic convertersin new Petrol driven passenger cars was mandated in thefour Metrosand also introduction ofunleaded petrol.
• FromApril 2000,unleaded petrolis available in the country.
• In developed countries lead was phased out from petrol over a period of more than 10 years, while in India this was achieved just in 6 years.
• The comparative statement of emission norms as under, indicates that the time gap between the introduction of norms in Europe and our country is narrowing:

Bharat Stage-II norms,which are akin to Euro-II norms have been introduced inNational Capital Region (NCR) for passenger vehiclesupto GVW 3.5T from 1.4.2000and forheavier vehiclesfrom24.10.2001inNational Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.

• In case ofMumbai,these have been extendedfrom 1.1.2001 to 31.10.2001respectively.
• For bothChennaiandKolkata,the corresponding dates are1.7.2001 and 31.10.2001respectively.
• These norms have further been extended toAgra, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad / Secundrabad, Kanpur, Pune and Surat from 1.4.2003,andLucknowandSholapur from 1.6.2004 for all category of vehicles.
• The transport vehicles plying on inter-State permits or on National Permits or on All India Tourist Permits or plying from these cities to the other regions of the respective States have been exempted.
  • Basically Bharat Stage-II norms involve supply ofPetrol and Diesel with 0.05% sulphur content.
  • Inrest of the country,petrol has a Sulphur content of0.1%with effectfrom 1.4.2000as against0.05%in these cities and NCR of Delhi.
  • Similarly, Sulphur content in diesel have been reduced in the country, from a level of1.0% maximum in 1996 to 0.25% on 1.4.2000.
  • In respect of NCT of Delhi and the above mentioned cities the sulphur contentin Diesel is similarly 0.05%.

Bharat Stage-III emission normshave been introduced with effect from 1-4-2005 in respect of Four Wheeled vehicles manufactured on and from 1^stApril, 2005 in the National Capital Region and the cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad including Secundrabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur and Agra except for four wheeled transport vehicles plying on Inter-State Permits or National Permits or All India Tourist Permits within the jurisdiction of these cities.

• In addition to petrol and diesel, CNG and LPG are permitted to be used as auto fuels. Alternative fuels like di-methyl ether, bio-diesel, hydrogen, electric and fuel cell vehicles etc., are at various stages of experimentation.
• The emission norms for tractors were first notified in the year 1999. The next generation norms have been laid down. While Bharat (Trem) Stage II norms have come into force from 01.06.2003, the Bharat (Trem) Stage III norms has come into force from 01.10.2005.
• Next generation emission norms for two-wheelers and three-wheelers manufactured on and after 1.4.2005 have been notified.

• Steps for curbing menace of vehicular pollution

• This Ministry has taken several steps in this direction.
• Workshop-cum-training programmes are organized every year (two each at ARAI, Pune and IIP, Dehradun). In these workshops, officers of the State Transport Department are given training regarding checking of vehicular pollution more scientifically and effectively.
• Fitness norms for commercial vehicles have been tightened with effect from 28th March 2001

• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Norms

  Stricter PUC norms for in use motor vehicles have been notified vide Gazette Notification No. G.S.R. 111(E) dated 10.2.2004. These norms have come into force from 1^st October, 2004.