The following are a set of lacunae found in the pollution control and implementation of Euro norms in India.

1)These standards have not been implemented for the entire country. The government has not given any rationale reason for not adopting these standards for the whole nation?

2)The issue of pollution by the existing fleet of old technology vehicles still remains.
Estimates show that 70 per cent of the cars are from the pre-catalytic converter era. It is established that the catalytic converters substantially reduce emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

3)The current set of diesel vehicles on our roads emits inordinate amounts of particulate matter, NOx and sulphur dioxide. Of highest concern are the fine, respirable particles of sizes 10 and 2.5 microns (PM10 and PM2.5) which are highly carcinogenic and carry toxic heavy metals with them. It is time the government set standards to particularly address PM10 and PM2.5 emissions. The answer may lie in control technologies such as particulate traps, oxidation catalysts, and NOx catalytic controls.

4)The poor maintenance of vehicles in India, there is a tendency for vehicles to pollute more as they get older. Solution could lie in mandatory periodic fitness certification for all such vehicles. A rigorous maintenance schedule by the owner and genuine certification by authorised service stations would be the key elements of any such effort.

5) The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989 place no limit on the age of vehicles plying on the road and also lack any provision that addresses the scrappage of old commercial vehicles being challenged in a court of law. Even with the best of maintenance standards, the older vehicles may still cause an unacceptable level of pollution.

6) The court’s directives do not apply to old personalised vehicles.

7)The crucial role of oil refineries in improving air quality cannot be overstated.
Fuel adulteration is rampant. For vehicles to conform to Euro I and II norms, it is imperative that petrol and diesel adhere to specific fuel properties. The oil refineries still produce diesel with high levels of sulphur, and leaded petrol is even now a reality. Fuel adulteration is rampant.

Unless these above stated hindrances are overcome, the race against pollution will be lost even before getting started.