Refiners not ready for Euro-III fuel

Domestic refiners are not prepared to meet the April 1, 2005 deadline for the introduction of petrol and diesel conforming to Euro-III emission norms in 11 cities and Euro-II grade fuel in the rest of the country, according to a status report released by the government.

The April 1, 2005 deadline for the introduction of Euro-III grade petrol can be met through some imports, but diesel of the same quality could only be introduced in six cities - Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad - as Euro-III grade diesel was not available internationally for imports, as per minutes of the industry meeting held on December 28 to review the preparedness of the industry for introducing cleaner fuel.

"Petrol of Euro-II or Bharat Stage-II grade was feasible as per target date of April 1, 2005, but a new schedule would have to be drawn for introduction of diesel of same quality," the minutes said.

The national auto fuel policy envisages supply of diesel with 0.035% sulphur and cetane number 51 and petrol with 1% benzene and octane number 91 in 11 cities from April 2005.

A representative of Reliance told the meeting that RIL's Jamnagar refinery was unable to meet the clean fuel demand as "substantial problem was being faced due to a technical snag at the hydrogen manufacturing unit (HMU), and also the export commitment made by RIL," according to the minutes.