BS -VI grade auto fuels rule kicks in Delhi NCT from April 1, 2018

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. As a next step in this direction, the Government in consultation with stakeholders had decided to meet international best practices by leapfrogging directly from BS-IV to BS-VI grade by April 1, 2020, skipping BS-V altogether. Oil refining companies are making huge investments in fuel up gradation projects to produce the BS-VI grade fuels.

This latest measure is expected to help mitigate the problem of air pollution in NCT of Delhi and surrounding areas.

Commenting on this latest move by the government, Nawneet Vibhaw, ?Associate Partner, Khaitan & Co.said, “While we understand that this step has been triggered by the deterioration in air quality in the national capital and adjoining areas, we sincerely hope that all stakeholders have been duly consulted as it is not an easy task. The vehicle manufacturers as well as the oil companies will find it very hard to meet the deadline. We are aware of the apprehensions and difficulties expressed by many of them when the ban on the sale of diesel vehicles was imposed earlier. We need to be more proactive than reactive.”