Smog has to be cleared

Losing after winning is the worst feeling possible. This is how I feel looking out of my window at a thick pall of black smog engulfing my city. It was this time of the year, exactly 15 years ago, when Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) began its right-to-clean-air campaign. The air in Delhi was so foul one could hardly breathe. That was a time when air pollution was an unknown curse.

small in size, big problem

The Western world has come a long way in its drive to reduce air pollution from vehicles. Just over a decade back, the focus was on total suspended particulate matter (which includes natural dust too) and the black smoke vehicles emitted. Epidemiological evidence made governments shift the focus to respirable particles (particles smaller than 10 micron).

Every breath you take

In labs in many countries, scientists are beginning to find links between air pollution and critical illnesses ranging from cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes to debilitating eye disorders and hypertension. No doubt research has improved in India in the past three decades. Nearly 60 per cent of the studies on health impacts of air pollution are now on vehicular pollution. Unlike other countries, most studies here are by doctors who deal with new health risks from worsening air quality. But regulators are yet to act effectively.

New auto emission norms delayed

Pressure from the automobile industry is delaying implementation of tighter vehicular emission norms in cities across India. Though four-wheelers in 11 cities, including the four metros, switched from Bharat Stage (BS) III emission norms to BS IV on April 1, other cities supposed to make the switch from BS II to BS III norms have to wait. A draft notification of the government has proposed October 1 as the new date for implementing BS III norms.

A-star is on the horizon

Can India check the car's claims? maruti Suzuki has launched a world-class model, compact A-star. The company claims the vehicle is powered by an engine that meets the current as well as future environmental norms and is fuel-efficient. But does India have a mechanism in place to verify these claims? Vehicles in certain key cities in India follow the emission norms stipulated under Bharat III (counterpart of Euro III); by 2010, Euro IV will be

US Senate's nod to improve cars' fuel efficiency

The us Senate recently approved a bill that requires cars to burn 30 per cent less fuel by the year 2020. If it becomes a law, the bill will be the first efficiency increase imposed on the us car industry for nearly 20 years. The bill requires an improvement in the average efficiency of new us vehicles from around 10.6 km per litre (km/l) now to around 14.9 km/l.

Science vs economics of cess on diesel

Anumita Roychowdhury's story on fuel efficiency ('The great guzzle's puzzle', Down To Earth, February 15, 2007) had Sacchidananda Mukherjee, Madras School of Economics, arguing against tax brakes on diesel cars. The author replied.

London to impose stricter standards for polluting vehicles

london has decided to impose stricter standards for polluting vehicles. Under the low emission zones (lez) programme coming into effect on February 4, 2008, lorry, bus and other coaches can be penalised if they fail to meet emission regulations.

India not on course for clean air target

Diesel cars are expected to corner 50 per cent of the Indian car market by 2010. 2010 is also the Indian government's target year for putting into place European emission standards. The target was set by the auto fuel policy of 2002. It appears to be an unlikely one with diesel exhaust being incriminated for a variety of diseases ranging from cancer to adverse birth effects. And the government hasn't shown much alacrity in mending

India allows Harleys in exchange for mangoes

bowing to an aggressive us offensive, the Indian government recently allowed the import of the us's iconic Harley Davidson bikes. The decision, which came on April 13, 2007, is part of a deal that exempts all bikes with an engine displacement size of more than 800 cc from meeting Indian emissions standards and has arbitrarily fixed European emissions standards for them. This subverts the Central Motor Vehicles Act