How to separate BS VI-compliant private vehicles from the older ones, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• The Delhi government is enforcing stricter vehicular pollution curbs, barring non-BS VI private vehicles registered outside Delhi from entering the city.
• Fuel pumps in Delhi will only sell fuel to vehicles with a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).
• Vehicles not compliant with BS VI norms face a fine of Rs 20,000, while BS VI compliant vehicles without a valid PUCC can be fined Rs 10,000.
• BS VI emission standards became mandatory nationwide from April 1, 2020.
• Nearly 37% of vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region comply only with older Bharat Stage I, II, or III emission norms.

Detailed Insights:

• BS compliance can be checked on the vehicle's Registration Certificate (RC), the owner's manual, stickers on the vehicle, or the VAHAN portal.
• Bharat Stage emission norms are India's standards for regulating air pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter from motor vehicles.
• Delhi implemented stricter emission norms earlier than the rest of the country due to its persistent air pollution, introducing BS II in 2001, BS III in 2005, and BS IV in 2010.
• Older vehicles, especially diesel vehicles, emit higher levels of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter, contributing to smog and respiratory diseases.
• BS VI norms enforce significantly lower emission limits, with nitrogen oxide limits for petrol vehicles about 25% lower than BS IV, and for diesel vehicles, nitrogen oxides reduced by nearly 68%, and particulate matter emissions cut by around 82%.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Bharat Stage Emission Norms: Standards set by the Indian government to regulate the amount of air pollutants released by motor vehicles.
• Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC): A certificate issued to vehicles that meet the prescribed emission standards, ensuring they are not excessively polluting.
• VAHAN Portal: A centralized online platform maintained by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for accessing vehicle registration details and related information.