State-run oil firms will supply Euro-IV grade petrol and diesel in 13 big cities and Euro-III complaint petrol in rest of the country from April 1 but supply of the cleaner diesel to rest of the country may be delayed by three to six months.
"Euro-IV petrol and diesel will be supplied for sure in 13 designated cities (that include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad) from April 1," Petroleum Secretary R S Pandey told reporters here.
As per fuel specifications committed to the Supreme Court, oil firms are to sell petrol and diesel meeting the stringent Euro-IV specifications in 13 major cities from April 1 while Euro-III grade fuel is to be supplied in rest of the country.
However, supply of Euro-III fuel may be delayed as some refineries may not be upgraded in time, he said.
Efforts are being made to ensure Euro-III petrol to be supplied in rest of the country and some deferment sought for beginning sale of diesel of same grade.
Pandey said some of the refineries would continue to produce Euro-II grade fuel beyond April, which cannot be exported due to inland location of the units. And so, it would be logistically difficult to manage three grades of fuel.
"The Petroleum Minister (Murli Deora) has called a review meeting this week to assess the situation and a clear picture would emerge after that," he said.