Can't say if odd-even scheme has led to less pollution: SIAM

New Delhi, Jan 11: The odd-even scheme has led to less congestion on the National Capital roads but its effectiveness in controlling pollution is not known yet, auto industry body SIAM said on Monday, Jan 11.

It also said that 'if at all' India leapfrogs from Euro IV to Euro VI emission norms, it would be the first country to do so.

"As far as plus points of odd-even scheme go, there is less congestion on the roads but has it lowered the air pollution, we don't know. One positive thing for us is that buses will sell more if it continues as public transport will have to be strengthened," SIAM Director General Vishnu Mathur told reporters here.

Aiming to cut down air pollution, the Delhi government is implementing from January 1 a 15-day long scheme restricting 4-wheelers to ply on alternate days based on odd-even licence plate number.

On the issue of moving from Euro IV to Euro VI norms, SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen said: "For developing of vehicles you have to make the Euro V technology first establish over a period of time and then move to Euro VI.

That's what technology providers have been saying. "That's how it has been done everywhere. In Europe they did not skip directly to Euro VI.

They have gone from Euro V to Euro VI. We will be going for the first time if at all we go," he added. When asked if moving directly to Euro VI emission norms from Euro IV would lead increase in product prices, Sen said: "We don't have any figure for investment for getting into Euro V or Euro VI. If Euro VI is introduced, whatever technology change is introduced we will have to see whether if there will be a price hike. I am not sure at this stage."

Product prices did not change significantly even when the industry moved from carburetor to MPFI engine or from Euro I to Euro II or from Euro III to Euro IV, he added. "When we moved from carburetor engine to MPFI engine did we see a great rise in product prices or difference in price? I don't think so.

Similarly from Euro I, II, III, we have come to Euro IV how much price hike have we seen?" Sen said. In a bid to curb vehicular pollution, the government has decided to implement stricter emission norms of Bharat Stage (BS) VI from April 1, 2020 by skipping BS-V altogether.

At present, BS IV norms are followed in parts of India and by April 1, 2017, the whole of the country is scheduled to be covered under it.

PTI