Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (IC), Petroleum & Natural Gas, in a meeting, informed that Oil PSUs will invest about Rs. 28,750 Crores for switching over to BS-VI auto fuels. Keeping in view the environmental impact, rising pollution levels and consequent health hazards due to vehicular pollution, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas is of the view that the country should switch over directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards.
The meeting was also attended by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Anant Geete, Hon’ble Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, and Shri Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble MoS(IC), Environment, Forests & Climate Change.
It was noted in the meeting that the BS-IV auto fuels have already been introduced in some parts of the country and will be introduced in the entire country by 01.04.2017. It was decided that the country will leap frog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards which will be implemented in the country w.e.f., 01.04.2020.
To discuss details of fuel specifications and other relevant issues of BS-VI auto fuels, a group of concerned Secretaries will be formed which will give its report within two weeks.