The government’s fuel policy was the main culprit for the high incidence of pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) told the Supreme Court.
The apex body of auto manufacturers tried to dispel the impression of the court that diesel cars emitted more pollutants than the petrol version. The Supreme Court was hearing the plea on the ban on registration of diesel cars and SUVs above 2,000 cc, imposed by it, till March 31.
Siam said that faster implementation of Bharat Stage V and BS-VI emission norms would help reduce pollution. But if the fuel supplied by the petroleum companies did not conform to these standards, it would be a futile effort, it argued.
According to Siam, auto manufacturers were willing to introduce BS-V compliant cars by 2019, a year before the government deadline. But non-availability of BS-V fuel by 2019 was deterring the industry from introducing the vehicles.
“It is ironical that on the one hand India has been exporting higher grade BSV/VI fuel to other countries for many years and on the other hand, the same high grade fuel is not made available for domestic use to overcome the serious pollution challenge,” it said.
Source : BS Motoring
