The Transport Department, which had announced that four-wheelers complying with Bharat Stage–IV norms only will be registered from October 1 in the city, now says the rule is under enforcement from April 1.
The new rule is applicable in five Regional Transport Office zones of Khairatabad, Secunderabad, Mehdipatnam, Malakpet and Bahadurpura. This rule, interestingly, is not applicable at Ibrahimpatnam, Uppal and Medchal RTO's under Ranga Reddy.
However, there is a three month grace period for vehicles not complying with the latest norms for registration i.e. till June 30, said Transport Commissioner Raymond Peter.
Automobile dealers selling vehicles with BS-III norms will have to liquidate their stocks within these three months, he said.
The general public are already confused about the geographical boundaries. “When a BS-III car owner can register at any RTO in Ranga Reddy district and operate the car in the city. How can the new norms are enforced,” wonders Reddy, a car owner.
Similarly, Uppal forms part of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) but BS III vehicles can continue to be registered at this RTO. “What is the purpose of introducing BS-IV norms when it is not uniformly made applicable,” asks another.
This apart, transport vehicles, including BS III cabs plying on inter-State or national permit are exempt from BS-IV norms. Cab drivers purchasing BS-III and applying for inter-State permit will be allowed to register their vehicle and operate them in the city, points out a senior official of the Transport Department.
The department is thinking of appealing to the government to bring Ranga Reddy district under the new norms for “better enforcement”. Another issue is the unavailability of fuel stations supplying BS-IV on the city outskirts.
Motorists living on the suburbs and neighbouring districts are filling in regular fuel containing high sulphur and benzene content before driving into the capital defeating the very purpose of burning cleaner fuel here.
Authorities claim that BS-IV fuel is available at Bhongir, Choutuppal, Sanga Reddy and Shamshabad areas.
