Exemption granted to special purpose vehicles from BS-IV compliance

The exemption has been granted because these vehicles operate in remote and inhospitable terrains with most challenging operational and environmental conditions.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has issued notification no GSR 547(E) dated 1st August 2019, exempting the armored and other specialized vehicles of Indian armed forces and paramilitary forces from the new stringent vehicular emission norms (BS-VI) which are set to take effect from 1st April 2020. The Ministry has also granted an exemption to these vehicles from BS-IV compliance.

The exemption has been granted because these vehicles operate in remote and inhospitable terrains with most challenging operational and environmental conditions. Due to security challenges and requirements of specialized operations, the development of suitable engine compliant with the above norms would require considerable time. Further, it is difficult to maintain the ideal transportation and storage conditions of fuel in these conditions.

Earlier, the Government, vide G.S.R. 485(E) dated 19.05.2017, had exempted motor vehicles used for Government purposes relating to the defence of the country from BS-IV norms and, vide G.S.R. 871(E) dated 13.09.2018, had exempted special purpose vehicles (armored and other specialized vehicles) used for operational purposes for maintenance of law and order and internal security from BS-IV norms, for a period up to 31st December 2019.

(With Inputs from PIB)