25-Jul-2022: The fuel quality has improved significantly from BS-IV to BS-VI norms by reducing the permissible Sulphur content
The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today informed that Government had constituted an Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Member, Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) to prepare road map of auto Fuel Vision and Policy-2025. As per previous Auto fuel Policy, Bharat Stage (BS)-II, BS-III and BS-IV quality auto fuels were introduced in the Country by 01.04.2017. The Committee proposed implementation of BS-V emission norms by 01.04.2020 and BS-VI emission norms from 2024. However, considering rising pollution, Government had decided to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms w.e.f. 01.04.2020. The fuel quality has improved significantly from BS-IV to BS-VI norms by reducing the permissible Sulphur content from 50 Parts Per Million (ppm) in BS-IV to maximum 10 ppm in BS-VI compliant fuel. This has enabled the introduction of advanced emission control technologies, including Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) to reduce Particulate Matter (PM) and Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) systems for reduction in Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions in BS-VI vehicles.
Oil India Limited (OIL) has established more than 1000 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering all the functions of installations under Health Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Management System. From time to time, HSSE verticals are reviewed internally by top management based on project needs, statutory guidelines and job competency requirements.
Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD), a technical directorate under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, develops standards for oil & gas industry and carries out periodic external safety audits of oil & gas installations to monitor their compliance. However, safety, security and environmental aspects of the oil & gas installations are ensured by the companies concerned.
8-Jun-2020: Distinct colour band for number plate sticker for BS-6 four-wheel vehicles
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued an S.O. 1979 (E) dt. 5th June 2020 mandating a strip of green colour of 1 cm width on top of the existing sticker carrying details of registration for BS-VI vehicles of any fuel type i.e. for petrol or CNG which have a light blue colour sticker and a diesel vehicle which is of orange colour. These stickers will now have a green strip of 1 cm on top for BS VI, as mandated.
The BS-VI emission standards, which have been mandated w.e.f. 1st April, 2020, provide for stricter and cleaner emission norms and are at par with the emission standards being followed across the world. Such distinct identification of vehicles for such emissions standard as is also being followed in other countries had been requested to the Government and brought-forth by the Government.
24-May-2020: Emission norms for L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS VI notified
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued notification GSR 308(E ) dated 22nd May 2020 regarding the emission norms for L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS VI. These norms are applicable from the date of notification. This notification completes the process of BS VI for all L, M and N category vehicles in India. The emission norms are in line with EU with WMTC cycle. The procedure for testing is laid down in AIS 137-Part 9.
2-Aug-2019: Armoured and Specialised Vehicles of Armed/ Paramilitary Forces Exempted from BS-VI Emission Norms that will Come into Force in April 2020
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has issued a notification dated 1st August 2019, exempting the armoured and other specialised vehicles of Indian armed forces and paramilitary forces from the new stringent vehicular emission norms (BS-VI) which are set to take effect from 1st April, 2020. The Ministry has also granted exemption to these vehicles from BS-IV compliance.
The exemption has been granted because these vehicles operate in remote and inhospitable terrains with most challenging operational and environmental conditions. Due to security challenges and requirements of specialized operations, the development of suitable engine compliant with the above norms would require considerable time. Further, it is difficult to maintain ideal transportation and storage conditions of fuel in these conditions.
Earlier, the Government had exempted motor vehicles used for Government purposes relating to the defence of the country from BS- IV norms and had exempted special purpose vehicles (armoured and other specialised vehicles) used for operational purposes for maintenance of law and order and internal security from BS-IV norms, for a period up to 31st December, 2019.
10-Jun-2019: ICAT Releases India’s 1st BS – VI Certificate in Two Wheeler Segment
International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) released India’s first Type Approval Certificate (TAC) for Bharat Stage - VI (BS – VI) norms for the two wheeler segment in New Delhi.
The certificate was released and handed over by Director ICAT, Dinesh Tyagi to top officials of the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
This is India’s first certification in the two wheeler segment for the BS – VI norms that are the latest emission norms as notified by the Government of India. ICAT has taken many steps in providing assistance and support to the automotive industry for the development, optimization and calibration of engines and vehicles for complying with these upcoming emission norms.
Bharat Stage norms are the automotive emission norms which the automotive manufacturers have to comply to sell their vehicles in India. These norms are applicable to all two wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers and construction equipment vehicles.
To curb growing menace of air pollution through the vehicles emission, the Government of India has decided to leapfrog from the exiting BS – IV norms to the BS- VI, thereby skipping the BS – V norms, and to implement the BS – VI norms with effect from 1st April 2020.Only those vehicles will be sold and registered in India from 1st April 2020 onwards, which comply to these norms. The norms are stringent and at par with global standards.
Last year, ICAT issued the approval for BS –VI norms to M/s Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles for the Heavy Commercial Vehicle segment which was also the first in its segment in India.
ICAT is the premier testing and certification agency authorized by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for providing testing and certification services to the vehicle and component manufacturers in India and abroad. It has the latest equipment, facilities and capabilities to develop, validate, test and certify the engines and vehicles for the latest norms in the field of emission and many other facilities like crash lab, NVH lab, EMC lab and test tracks.
1-Apr-2019: 12 NCR districts, Agra switch to Euro-VI fuel
Supply of ultra-clean Euro-VI grade petrol and diesel has begun in cities adjoining the national capital.
While Delhi in April 2018 became the first city in the country to leapfrog from Euro-IV grade petrol and diesel to Euro-VI fuels, cities in the national capital region like Noida and Ghaziabad switched over to the cleaner fuel from Monday. Rest of the country will follow suit from April 2020.
In keeping with the implementation plan for BS-VI grade fuels in the national capital region (NCR), the oil industry switched over to supply of BS-VI grade transportation fuels in 12 contiguous districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh as well as the city of Agra.
Petrol and diesel containing 10 parts per million or ppm is now being supplied in Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli and Dholpur in Rajasthan and Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Baghpat, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Shamli and Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Originally Gurugram and Faridabad too were to get Euro-VI grade fuel from April 1 but supplies there have been postponed.
India had in 2015 decided to leapfrog to Euro-VI emission norm compliant petrol and diesel from April 2020, from the Euro-IV grade at present. While the deadline for the rest of the country stands, the same for Delhi, which is choking on thick toxic smog, was brought forward.
BS-VI fuels would be supplied through 1,630 fuel stations of the three OMCs (IOC, BPCL and HPCL) in Delhi and NCR region.
24-Oct-2018: SC bans sale of BS-IV vehicles from 2020
The Supreme Court banned the sale and registration of motor vehicles conforming to the emission standards Bharat Stage-IV in the entire country from April 1, 2020.
It said pollution has reached an “alarming and critical” level all over India. The country will have to shift to the cleaner Bharat-VI fuel from April 1, 2020. Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms are standards instituted by the government to regulate output of air pollutants from motor vehicles. The BS-IV norms have been enforced across the country since April 2017. In 2016, the Centre had announced the country would skip the BS-V norms altogether and adopt BS-VI norms by 2020.
BS-VI compliant vehicles are going to be more expensive than BS-IV compliant vehicles. India has the dubious distinction of having 15 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world. There cannot be any compromise on the health of citizens and this has to take precedence over the “greed” of a few automobile manufacturers who want to stretch the timeline. Therefore, if there is a conflict between health and wealth, obviously, health will have to be given precedence.
15-Nov-2017: Preponement of introduction of BS -VI grade auto fuels in NCT Delhi
The Government of India has been making concerted efforts in line with the commitment at COP 21, to reduce vehicular emissions and improve fuel efficiency with an aim to reduce the carbon footprints and keep a healthy environment. India has followed the regulatory pathway for fuel quality and vehicle emissions standards termed as Bharat Stage (BS).
The Ministry of Petroleum and natural Gas has successfully introduced the BS-IV grade transportation fuels across the country w.e.f. April 1st 2017. With the launch of BS-IV grade fuel, a new era of clean transportation fuels has begun which will benefit all citizens of our country by substantially reducing pollution levels. Migration to BS-IV grade fuels shows India’s resolve to cut down emissions.
As a next step in this direction, Government in consultation with stakeholders has decided to meet international best practices by leapfrogging directly from BS-IV to BS-VI grade by 1st April, 2020, skipping BS-V altogether. Oil refining companies are making huge investments in fuel up gradation projects to produce the BS-VI grade fuels.
Taking into account the serious pollution levels in Delhi and adjoining areas, Petroleum Ministry in consultation with Public Oil Marketing Companies has decided for preponement of BS-VI grade auto fuels in NCT of Delhi w.e.f. 01.04.2018 instead of 01.04.2020. OMCs have also been asked to examine the possibility of introduction of BS-VI auto fuels in the whole of NCR area w.e.f. 01.04.2019.
This measure is expected to help mitigate the problem of air pollution in NCT of Delhi and surrounding areas.
18-Jul-2022: Extended Producer Responsibility
The management of e-waste in the Country is regulated under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 and amendments thereof. The Rules, are effective from 01-10-2016 and have the following specific objectives:
- Extended Responsibility to producers to manage a system of E-waste collection, storage, transportation and environmentally sound dismantling and recycling through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Authorization.
- To promote and encourage establishment of an efficient e-waste collection mechanism.
- To promote environmentally safe and sound recycling through authorized dismantlers and recyclers of e-waste.
- To minimize illegal recycling / recovery operations.
- Reduce hazardous substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE).
As per E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, the producer of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) as listed in Schedule I shall implement e-waste collection targets under Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) as per Schedule III which are as below:
|
S. No. |
Year |
E-Waste collection Target (Weight) |
|
(i) |
2017-2018 |
10% of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in EPR Plan. |
|
(ii) |
2018-2019 |
20% of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in in EPR Plan. |
|
(iii) |
2019-2020 |
30% of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in in EPR Plan. |
|
(iv) |
2020-2021 |
40% of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in in EPR Plan. |
|
(v) |
2021-2022 |
50% of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in in EPR Plan. |
|
(vi) |
2022-2023 |
60% of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in in EPR Plan. |
|
(vii) |
2023 onwards |
70% of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in in EPR Plan. |
Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, the authorization to e-waste dismantlers and recyclers is granted by the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) /Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) after ensuring that the applicant is utilising environmentally sound technologies and possess adequate technical capabilities, requisite facilities and equipment to dismantle or recycle and process e-waste in compliance to the guidelines specified by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). SPCBs/PCCs are also carrying out regular inspections of e-waste dismantling/recycling facilities for ensuring compliance.
As per the information available with CPCB, there are 472 authorised dismantlers/recyclers in 22 States having processing capacity of 14,26,685.22 Metric Tonne per annum (based on information received from SPCBs/PCCs and available on website of SPCBs/PCCs).With respect to extended producer responsibility, CPCB has provided authorization to total 2061 producers of electrical and electronic equipment across the country as on date. Further, the rules provide for monitoring of EPR of e-waste through CPCB, for which online portal has been developed in which target of each producer/producer responsibility organisation is duly assigned based on their production data of items as listed in Schedule-I of the Rules.
31-Mar-2022: Management of Plastic And Other Non-Biodegradable Material
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Guidelines on the Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic packaging on 16th February, 2022. The enforceable prescription of targets. under the EPR Guidelines, on the reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic content in plastic packaging will reduce the use virgin plastic material in packaging across sectors. Further, the EPR guidelines promote development of plastic packaging which can completely biodegrade in the ambient environment subject to conditions and certified by regulatory entities.
The prohibition of identified single use plastic items will also reduce the use plastic material in different sectors. As per the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016, there is a complete ban on sachets using plastic material used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala. The Ministry has also notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, on 12th August 2021, prohibiting manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential with effect from the 1st July, 2022.
The local authorities are mandated for collection, processing and disposal of solid waste including non-biodegradable waste and plastic waste, as per Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. Under Swachh Bharat Mission, additional Central Assistance is provided to States and Union territories for solid waste management including plastic waste management. Further, the Guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility on plastic packaging mandate producers, importers and brand owners for environmentally sound management of plastic packaging waste covered under the guidelines.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been taking measures for awareness generation for elimination of identified single use plastics. A series of awareness programmes had been organized to avoid the use of single-use plastics across the country, as part of Iconic Week celebrations from 4th to 10th October, 2021, under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. A separate Awareness Campaign on Single Use Plastic was also organized in 2021. Four regional events were organized under the Awareness Campaign. In order to spread awareness amongst school students in the country, a pan India essay writing competition has also been organized.
4-Apr-2022: Steps Initiated for Sustainable Mining
Before execution of mining lease under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, every mine is required to obtain statutory clearances from various departments of the Central Government and respective State Governments, including Environmental Clearance and Forest Clearance. Environmental Clearance is issued based on the Environment Impact Assessment of the mine.
To reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint associated with mining, Chapter V of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR) 2017, prescribes rules for sustainable mining; removal and utilisation of top soil; storage of overburden, waste rock etc.; precaution against ground vibrations; control of surface subsidence; precaution against air pollution; discharge of toxic liquid; precaution against noise; and restoration of flora etc.
Ministry of Mines through Indian Bureau of Mines has instituted the system of Star Rating for evaluation of sustainability footprints while conducting prospecting, mining, beneficiation or metallurgical operations in an area. Under Rule 35 of MCDR 2017, every lessee is mandated to obtain at least three star rating within four years from 28.02.2017 or date of commencement of mining operations and thereafter maintain the same on year on year basis.
Further, as per Rule 26 of MCDR 2017, every holder of a mining lease has the responsibility to ensure that the protective measures including reclamation and rehabilitation works have been carried out in accordance with the approved mine closure plan or with such modifications as approved by the competent authority.
Mining leases are encouraged to generate and use green energy. In this regard Indian Bureau of Mines has taken up a sample survey of 293 mines to map the installation of renewable energy plants and electricity consumption at the mine sites across the country. It was noted in the survey that total installed renewable energy plant capacity at these mine sites is approx. 583 Megawatts (Wind and Solar).