SC dilutes Euro norms

The Union of India, through additional solicitor general Kirit N Raval, had sought extension of the timeframe for complying with emission norms saying that Euro-I and Euro-II emission norms were new to India and thus no adequate testing facilities for the same were available.

The court in its April 29 order had banned registration of any private non-commercial vehicle sans the Euro-II norms from April 1, 2000 and allowed registration of 250diesel and 1,250 petrol cars in the NCR per month from June 1, 1999 till March 31, 2000 if they conformed to Euro-1 emission norms.

The bench today clarified that only 1,500 (1,250 petrol and 250 diesel) vehicles would be registered in NCR during the month of May, 1999 and from June one there would be no restriction.

During a brief hearing on the applications yesterday, Raval pleaded that the apex court order meant sudden switchover of technology, but it could be implemented only in a phased manner as authorised testing agencies were not equipped to approve prototypes of automobiles in a short period and issue the necessary certificate.

The bench said the earlier order did not mention about the certification from the testing agencies but had said that registration authorities would register a vehicle only after getting requisite certificate on emission norms from the manufacturers.