Euro-Ill compliant petrol and diesel

Euro-III auto fuel on June 1

The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has finalised the calendar
for introducing Euro-Ill compliant petrol and diesel in the country.
It will be introduced on June 1, and become available in 16 states and
five union territories by July 1.

The schedule has got the nod of Environment Pollution Authority
Chairman Bhure Lai.

On March 27, Lai directed the ministry of road and surface transport
and the ministry of heavy industries to adhere to the petroleum
ministry schedule for Euro-Ill and Euro-IV fuels in the country.

"Ministry of surface transport is directed to adhere to this schedule
of Euro-Hi and Euro-IV fuels heavy industries is also directed to
adhere to the schedule as far as introduction of Euro-Ill and Euro-IV
compliant vehicles are concerned," Bhure Lai wrote.

The automobile industry had sought that Euro-Ill emission norms be
introduced throughout the country at the same time and not staggered.

The industry feared that a staggered implementation would lead to
inconsistency in fuel quality in different parts, adversely impacting
vehicles.

Automakers wanted a definite timeline so that they could schedule the
production of Euro-III vehicles accordingly.

As per the ministry's calendar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra will get Euro-III fuel from June 1.

States and union territories including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,
Punjab, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Uttaranchal, Western UP, Andaman and
Nicobar, Orissa, Sikkim, West Bengal, Gujarat, Dadar Nagar Haveli,
Daman and Diu, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will be
covered from July 1.

Jammu and Kashmir will start getting Euro-Ill supplies from July 1 and
Karnataka August 1. The remaining states will be covered from October
1.

The supply of Euro-IV complaint fuels has already started in 13 major
cities from April 1.
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, April 07, 2010