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Availability of BS-VI compliant vehicles difficult till 2020: Experts
New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS) Customers will find it difficult to get a BS-VI compliant vehicle in the national capital territory (NCT) of Delhi, even as the environment-friendly fuel grade will be available in the city by April 2018, experts opined on Wednesday.
Industry observers said the Indian automobile manufacturers will most likely stick to the April 1, 2020 deadline to fully migrate to manufacturing of only BS-VI compliant vehicles on a pan-India basis and not come out with new models for Delhi.
The development comes after the Petroleum Ministry, in consultation with public oil marketing companies (OMCs), on Wednesday decided on preponement of BS-VI grade auto fuels in NCT of Delhi to tackle the high pollution levels in the Indian capital.
As of now, only BS-IV vehicles are produced and sold in the country. The BS-IV grade transportation fuels were rolled out across the country from April 1, 2017.
Currently, all vehicles plying on roads of NCT of Delhi can use the BS-VI fuel grade which has less sulphur content. However, BS-VI compliant vehicles won’t be able to operate on lower fuel grade which will be available outside of Delhi.
Auto expert Abdul Majeed, Partner, Price Waterhouse, told IANS: “This might be an opportunity for some players to introduce BS-VI compliant vehicles from their international stables. This would most probably be import-based and cost more.”
“The fuel should have been ideally introduced on a pan-India level… The auto industry is expected to stick to the April, 2020 deadline to shift to an all BS-VI vehicle manufacturing.”
Sridhar V., Partner, Grant Thornton India LLP, told IANS: “This step is aimed at gradual transition towards the adoption of BS-VI fuels and vehicles compliant with BS-VI emission norms.”
“A more effective intervention will be the replacement of BS-II, or BS-III vehicles… This throws the gauntlet at OEM for being ready with BS-VI compliant vehicles much ahead of the deadline”.
On its part, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) welcomed the Union Petroleum Ministry’s decision for early introduction of “BS-VI Gasoline and Diesel Fuel” in the NCT of Delhi from April 2018, instead of April 2020.
The automobile industry body also welcomed the ministry’s tentative plan to extend availability of Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) fuel across the national capital region (NCR) from April 1, 2019.
SIAM described the decision as a “step in the right direction” following best practices globally.
It informed that in the developed countries the higher grade of fuel is generally introduced a couple of years prior to the introduction of higher emission norms for vehicles.
SIAM’s President Abhay Firodia said the decision will give confidence to the auto industry about the availability of the fuel grade across the country from April 1, 2020.
“Use of BS-VI fuel with lower sulphur content may also improve the particulate emissions from the existing fleet of vehicles which are presently plying in the national capital to some extent,” Firodia said.
“In addition, if the government also effectively enforces the order to remove old BS-II and earlier vintage vehicles from plying in the national capital, it would greatly reduce the contribution of vehicular pollution in the region.”
Illegal crop burning in the neighbouring states coupled with vehicular and industrial emissions have caused a sharp deterioration in the air quality in Delhi beginning earlier this month along with the onset of cooler weather.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.