Daily News Analysis

Bharat stage emission standards

stylish_lining

Context: The Supreme Court Thursday asked the Centre to formulate a policy to phase out heavy-duty diesel vehicles and to replace them with BSVI vehicles.

News:

  • The Supreme Court directed the Centre to formulate a policy within six months regarding the use of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Tughlaqabad, Delhi, to address air pollution concerns.
  • The order followed a plea by the Container Corporation of India challenging the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) directive from March 8, 2019.
  • The NGT had instructed the corporation to ensure a phased shift from diesel vehicles to electric, hybrid, and CNG vehicles at the ICD, citing their contribution to air pollution in the Delhi NCR area.

The Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Standards

  • They are regulations established by the Indian Government to control the emission of air pollutants from automobiles.
  • The determination of fuel standards in the country falls under the jurisdiction of the Environment Ministry, while the Central Pollution Control Board oversees the implementation of these standards.
  • These regulations are modeled after the European emission standards. Manufacturers have the option to introduce vehicles adhering to BS VI fuel standards even before the April 2020 deadline, but post-deadline, non-compliant vehicles will not be eligible for registration.
  • The enforcement of these new norms is expected to significantly reduce pollution levels by decreasing particulate matter (PM) emissions, with vehicles being a significant contributor to air pollution.

BS-VI emission norms

  • The implementation of BS-VI emission norms has been announced by the Union Environment Minister, slated to begin in 2020, with the aim of significantly reducing vehicular pollution.
  • Vehicle manufacturers are required to adopt new technologies to ensure compliance with the BS-VI standards.
  • Originally scheduled for 2022, the transition to BS-VI vehicles has been expedited by four years due to the alarming air quality conditions.
  • Starting from April 1, 2020, all vehicles, including four and two-wheelers and commercial vehicles, must adhere to the new BS-VI standards.
  • Currently, India utilizes BS IV and BS III fuels, contributing to increased levels of hazardous air pollutants associated with health issues like asthma, bronchitis, heart diseases, and cancer.

Local Governance in India

The Panchayati Raj system and municipal bodies serve as the first point of contact between citizens and the state. However, grassroots governance in India often struggles with inaccessible, detail
Share It

China’s Mega-Dam on Brahmaputra

China is constructing a massive 60,000 MW hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo River (called the Brahmaputra in India and Jamuna in Bangladesh), located in Tibet near Gelling in Arunachal Prad
Share It

India Hosts 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave

India recently hosted the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam, focusing on enhancing maritime connectivity and sustainable development across the Bay of Bengal region. This event underscor
Share It

Manipur Crisis

The ongoing crisis in Manipur, which has now lasted for over two years, has resulted in over 250 deaths and widespread displacement, yet it has not received the same level of national priority as
Share It

Road Safety in India

India is at a pivotal moment in its mobility transformation. While the country’s growing road infrastructure and urbanization offer numerous opportunities, they also present significant chal
Share It

India Africa

India and Africa are building a robust and evolving partnership, particularly in the realm of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which holds tremendous potential to boost socio-economic developm
Share It

Mangrove Ecosystems

The International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, observed annually on 26th July, serves as a vital reminder of the urgent need to protect mangroves, which are disappearing at an alar
Share It

Food Security and Nutrition

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report presents a mixed picture of global progress in combating hunger, highlighting both positive trends and pressing challenges,
Share It

The ‘Rising Northeast

The Investor Summit 2025’ organized by the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) in New Delhi is a major event aimed at showcasing the immense investment and trade potentia
Share It

India's Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

Launched in 2015, India's Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was conceived to tackle urban challenges using technology and sustainable development practices. The mission has witnessed significant inve
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS