Gadkari Announces Low-Cost Emission Fix for Aging Truck Fleets
What Happened
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that owners of BS-III, BS-IV and older diesel trucks and buses will be allowed to install a retrofit emission-control device developed from an IIT-Delhi innovation. The device, expected to cost around ₹4,000-5,000, has successfully completed testing and will be covered under the proposed AIS-228 standard.
Key Takeaways
According to Gadkari, the device can reduce particulate matter emissions by up to 90% and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 60%, bringing emissions from older diesel vehicles close to BS-VI levels. The move is intended to complement, not replace, the government's vehicle scrappage policy while offering a lower-cost option to reduce vehicular pollution.