Question : EXPERT COMMITTEE ON AUTO FUEL POLICY

(a) the details of roadmap laid down by the Expert committee on Auto Fuel Policy to bring the vehicular and other pollution under control;

(b) the details of action plans under Ministry to control vehicular and air pollution;

(c) whether any studies have been conducted to find out the vehicular pollution in the major cities of the country, including Hyderabad in the last three years; and

(d) if so, the details of the studies and the action plan contemplated by the Ministry in coordination with the States and local municipal authorities?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)

(a): The details of the Road Map for vehicular emission norms for new vehicles, recommended by Auto Fuel Policy Committee and approved by the Government are as under:-

(i) Extension of Bharat Stage-II norms for all categories of vehicles throughout the country from 1-4-2005.

(ii) Extension of Bharat Stage-III norms for four wheeled vehicles in 11 mega cities from 1-4-2005.

(iii) Extension of Bharat Stage-III norms throughout the country for two and three wheeled vehicles from 1-4-2008, but not later than 1-4-2010.

(iv) Extension of Bharat Stage-III norms for all categories of vehicles throughout the country from 1-4-2010.

(v) Extension of Bharat Stage-IV norms for four wheeled vehicles in 11 mega cities from 1-4-2010.

(b): This Ministry lays down emission norms for various categories of Motor Vehicles as per the road map recommended by Auto Fuel Policy Committee.

(c) and (d): A national initiative on air pollution emission inventory and source apportionment studies has been initiated under the Ministry of Environment & Forests to study 53 major cities including Hyderabad. The State authorities are also involved in this initiative and this also provides technical support for carrying such studies. The action plan covers measures for industrial and vehicular pollution control, controlling emission from in-use vehicles, improvement in fuel quality, road map for new vehicle emissions and traffic management measures etc.