Pre-BS era vehicles should be scrapped: Road Transport Secretary

17 Sep 2024 CW Team

Anurag Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, advocated for the scrapping of pre-Bharat Stage (BS) era vehicles, particularly heavy commercial vehicles, due to concerns over pollution and safety. The Bharat Stage emission norms were first introduced in India in 2000 to regulate emissions.

Jain emphasised the severe pollution caused by vehicles manufactured before 2000, stating, "Pre-BS vehicles contribute to 15 times more pollution. Do you think such vehicles should be on the roads when pollution is causing so many problems in our country?" He also noted that older vehicles incur higher fuel and maintenance costs and lack modern safety features.

He highlighted the benefits of scrapping old vehicles, which include improved safety and fuel savings. "We have been working on incentivising scrapping... If you scrap an old vehicle, you will bring safety and save on fuel," he added, focusing on the need to target commercial heavy vehicles specifically.

In 2000, passenger cars and commercial vehicles in India adhered to the Euro I equivalent India 2000 norms, while two-wheelers met some of the world's strictest emission standards. Bharat Stage II norms, equivalent to Euro II, were implemented in major cities from 2001.

Jain also mentioned the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), clarifying that the recent 20-kilometer relaxation is part of an enabling provision to facilitate the GNSS tolling system. He stated, "What we have published in the law is an enabling framework for allowing GNSS... There has been no change in the law."

The government has previously indicated that it is developing a vehicle scrapping policy based on pollution levels rather than vehicle age. (Business Standard)

Resources

26 Jun 2026

G R Infraprojects Founder Vinod Agarwal Passes Away

Vinod Kumar Agarwal, Founder and Promoter of G R Infraprojects, has passed away. He had been associated with the company since its inception in 1995. His vision, determination and entrepreneurial acumen laid the foundation for the company and helped shape its growth into a leading name in India’s infrastructure sector.Agarwal served as Managing Director from 2008 to 2021 and later as Chairman and Whole-time Director from 2021 to 2025. He stepped down from the office of Director on 10 November 2025. During his leadership tenure, the company moved through significant phases of growth, operatio..

Centre Prioritising Energy Security With Coal Gasification

Union minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said the Centre is prioritising energy security through a strategic shift to coal gasification and has announced incentives totalling Rs 460 billion (bn) to support the effort. He said more than 35 companies will start coal gasification activities in India within two months and that the government is encouraging firms that bring technology to close the domestic technology gap. The minister described the initiative as aimed at reducing import dependence and developing indigenous capacity. India has the fifth-largest coal reserve in the world, and..

BHEL and Coal India Invest Rs 250 bn in Odisha Gasification

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Coal India (CIL) are jointly investing Rs 250 billion in a coal gasification project in Odisha, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone in Jharsuguda. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy described the initiative as a transformative shift in coal utilisation that will open industrial avenues for the state. The project moves coal beyond conventional power generation to industrial feedstocks. Coal gasification will convert coal into synthesis gas, a versatile feedstock for chemicals, fertilisers and synthetic fuels, and the technology is ex..