The European emission standards define the acceptable limit of particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emission in the vehicles sold in EU member countries to control air pollutants. [break]
“With the implementation of Euro III in Nepal, the euro I and II vehicles will be gradually phased out,” said secretary at the environment ministry Krishna Gyawali. In 1999, the government had introduced Euro I and II emission standards for the first time in the country.
Gyawali further said automobile dealers will be allowed to trade the Euro I and II vehicles which have already been ordered.
Meanwhile, automobile dealers have expressed dissatisfaction over the newly introduced NVMES citing various reasons. In absence of a mechanism to monitor implementation, the new policies on Euro III are not feasible here, said Gopi Krishna Neupane, spokesperson, Nepal Auto-mobile Dealers Association (NADA). MoE’s seven air quality stations across the country have become dysfunctional for long.
Around 30, 0000 vehicles in the country do not even meet Euro 1 and 2 standards, said Neupane. “Adulterated fuel is another hurdle that will make implementation of Euro III standards difficult,” he said.
A recent study shows 60 percent of air pollution in the capital is contributed by vehicles. Of a total of 1.2 million vehicles in Nepal, 800,000 are registered in Bagmati zone.
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