Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a significant policy initiative to combat pollution from commercial vehicles. Owners of older diesel trucks and buses in India will soon be able to fit a domestically developed, low-cost emission-control device to drastically reduce their tailpipe emissions.
The retrofit emission-control device (RECD), originating from an innovation at IIT-Delhi, has successfully completed its testing phase and is now prepared for commercial deployment. This technology is specifically designed for BS-III, BS-IV, and other legacy diesel vehicles.
Affordable Solution for Cleaner Air
Priced affordably between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000, the device offers a substantial reduction in harmful pollutants. It is capable of cutting particulate matter emissions by up to 90 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 60 percent. This advancement provides commercial fleet owners with an economical way to upgrade their aging diesel vehicles to near the stringent BS-VI emission benchmarks, circumventing the immediate need for capital-intensive vehicle replacements.
Minister Gadkari noted that similar emission-reduction equipment is already effectively used in diesel generator sets, and the ministry's goal is to scale this application across the nation's heavy road transport sector.
Standardizing Rollout and Policy Framework
To ensure a standardized and widespread rollout, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is in the process of notifying Automotive Industry Standard 228 (AIS-228). This standard will meticulously outline the technical specifications and performance benchmarks required for the device's commercial installation and operation.
This new policy will complement the government's existing vehicle scrappage framework. It offers a viable method for owners of heavy vehicles not yet due for scrapping to significantly lower their environmental footprint and maintain compliance on Indian roads.
Broader Mobility and Safety Initiatives
During his address at a Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) event, Gadkari also touched upon broader mobility and safety initiatives. He highlighted India's low public transport density, advocating for innovative models in smaller cities. The ministry plans to introduce a negative points system for traffic violations, potentially leading to license suspensions, while rewarding drivers with clean records. An updated Bharat NCAP program, evaluating vehicle safety across the entire safety chain, is also set to roll out from October 2027, addressing India's high road accident and fatality rates.