Vehicles to face 'in-service' tests for emission compliance

NEW DELHI: Vehicles may have to undergo "in-service" tests for compliance to emission norms under a new initiative being considered by the government.

This is in addition to the existing mandatory lab tests on the prototype vehicles.

"Government is planning to introduce in-service compliance in addition to the existing mandatory laboratory level tests on the prototype vehicles. It has been included in the draft notification of BS-V norms by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways," Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises G M Siddeshwara said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

The Minister's reply was in response to a question asking whether the Government has taken note of the concerns expressed by experts including Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) regarding vulnerability of the country to Volkswagen-like frauds.

VW has already admitted that 11 million diesel engine cars worldwide were fitted with the software that helped in manipulating emission tests.

The German auto major has also initiated recall of 3.23 lakh vehicles in India after a government-ordered probe found the company using diesel engines equipped with a defeat device which help cheat emission tests, as it had done in the US and other global markets.

Besides, asked whether the present system for checking the Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate is inadequate to meet the emerging challenges, Siddeshwara said apex testing agency ARAI has informed that currently PUC check indicates only measurement of the vehicles when the engine is idle and the vehicle is stationary.

"Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has planned 10 automated I & M (Inspection and Maintenance) model centres on a pilot basis.

"These centres will have capability of doing emission measurements on roller benches, which would be a much more realistic measurement of vehicle emissions that the current PUC checks on stationary vehicles," Siddeshwara said.

The Minister also informed that under the new Safety Bill, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is planning to introduce an independent body for monitory the necessary emission checks on vehicles.