The West Bengal government today said it will end the special relaxation given to automakers to sell Bharat Stage III emission norms compliant cars to be used as taxis by the end of this month.
On April 1, the Bharat Stage IV emission norms were implemented in 13 cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, and subsequently registration of new vehicles other than BS IV compliant were disallowed in these cities.
However, the state government had allowed BS III cars to be registered in the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Area to be used as taxis.
“After July, there will not be any more registration of BS III vehicles. This rule is applicable for all auto makers,” West Bengal Minister for Transport Ranjit Kundu told PTI.
The rest of the country, which was scheduled to upgrade to Bharat Stage III from April, however, would do so only in October this year, due to lack of supply of upgraded fuel.
The new emission norms are being implemented following recommendations by the Mashelkar Committee.
