(a) whether the Government has any National Auto Fuel Policy to check air pollution;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure supply of eco-friendly fuels to transport sector;and
(d) if so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government of India has a National Auto Fuel Policy, aimed at improving ambient
air quality. In August 2001, it was decided to constitute a Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. R.A.
Mashelkar, Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) to recommend an Auto Fuel
Policy for the country and to devise a roadmap for its implementation. The Committee recommended introduction
of Bharat Stage-II (BS-II), Bharat Stage-III (BS-III) and Bharat Stage-IV (Bs-III) standard fuels (MS/HSD).
(c) & (d): In pursuance of the Auto Fuel Policy, the Government had introduced eco-friendly fuels (MS &
HSD) BS-III fuel (equivalent to Euro-III norms) in 13 cities, namely Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai,
Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur, Agra, Lucknow and Solapur w.e.f 1.4.2005 which was
subsequently upgraded to BS-IV (equivalent to Euro-IV norms) w.e.f 1.4.2010. Similarly, supply of BS-II
fuel (equivalent to Euro-II norms) was introduced in the rest of Country in 2005 and which is being
upgraded to BS-III fuel in a phased manner in the rest of the Country between 1.4.2010 and 1.10.2010.