BS-VI fuel supply will need Rs30,000 crore: Nitin Gadkari

The road transport and highways ministry has withdrawn its earlier draft which suggested shifting to BS-VI after first switching over to BS-V. Mr Nitin Gadkari said Indian refiners will need to make investments of around Rs30,000 crores to supply BS-VI compliant fuels.

“I appeal to the automobile manufacturers to cooperate in this in the larger interests of the country,” he said. The minister noted a government panel had earlier suggested the implementation of BS-VI norms from 2024, but in the larger interest it had been decided to advance the dates.

Carmakers have been against advancing the deadline to implement BS-VI. The Auto Fuel Policy recommended the implementation of BS-VI norms by 2024. Earlier, the ministry ‘s draft notification set the date at April 1, 2021.