Delhi Air Pollution: Expert Panel For Old Vehicle Exit and BS-IV Ban in 5 Years

A specialist committee set up by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to chart a pollution reduction strategy for Delhi-NCR is likely to recommend the instant removal of BS-I, BS-II and BS-III vehicles from roads, a gradual elimination of BS-IV vehicles across the following five years and the complete discontinuation of BS-VI two-wheelers and cars by 2035 and 2040 respectively, Times of India has reported.

Health Impact Data Reveals Alarming Pollution Exposure

The committee, chaired by IIT Madras professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala, has circulated the preliminary strategy document for stakeholder input, the report added. The group has highlighted severe health implications associated with air pollution, noting that when the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpasses 250, newborns are exposed to pollution levels comparable to smoking 10-15 cigarettes daily. Additionally, pharmacists have reported substantial rises in nebuliser and inhaler medication sales.

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Four-Pillar Strategy

The committee's discussions revealed the recommendations centre on discouraging fresh petrol and diesel vehicle acquisitions, progressively eliminating and constraining internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, facilitating migration towards clean vehicles, and strengthening emission surveillance systems.

CVs Face Earlier Zero-Emission Deadlines

The preliminary recommendations call for establishing registration deadlines for Zero Tailpipe Emission (ZTE) vehicles, encompassing electric and hydrogen fuel-cell options. Recognising that commercial vehicles generate disproportionate pollution, the committee advocates that all new commercially-operated two-wheelers and taxis registered after April 2027 must be ZTE vehicles. Likewise, new light goods vehicles including pickup vans and mini-trucks registered throughout Delhi-NCR from April 2028 onwards should exclusively be ZTE vehicles. The draft recommendations also endorse permitting only electric car registrations from April 2030 onwards.

"A transition period of 10-15 years is being proposed for phasing out BS-VI two-wheelers and cars so that a large number of people who have bought them in recent years are not adversely affected," a source was quoted as saying in the report.

OEMs to Get Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicle Production

The committee is examining mechanisms to encourage vehicle manufacturers to promote the sale of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). It additionally supports limiting BS-IV vehicle usage during peak AQI periods beginning later this year, with similar restrictions on BS-VI vehicles from 2035 onwards.