New Delhi: The central government on Wednesday has decided to implement Bharat Stage, BS VI emission norms from April 1, 2020, and to skip BS V norms.

Implementation of BS V emission norms will be skipped and the government will come out with a notification in this regard soon, it was decided at a meeting chaired by Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari.

The Auto Fuel Policy had recommended implementation of BS-VI norms by 2024. Earlier in the draft notification by the ministry, the date was advanced to April 1, 2021 and now it has been further advanced to April 1, 2020.

The others who attended the meeting are Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Anant Geete, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

According to Pradhan, public sector oil companies will invest about Rs.28,750 crore for switching over to BS-VI auto fuels.

Delhi recently was found out to be the world's one of the most polluted city. Delhi government in an attempt to counter this implemented the odd-even formula on a trial basis. The growing concern regarding the climate change is forcing government to take steps.(IANS)(image:autocarpro.in)