Current technology cannot transition to BS-VI in 3 years: SIAM

The auto industry is not amused by suggestions like the one amicus curiae (friend of the court) Harish Salve has put forward of making the BS-VI norm to be brought in action by 2018 from its earlier deadline of 2020.

Vinod Dasari, President of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) does not concur with Salve’s opinion and argues that technical evolution has a gestation period that cannot be changed overnight.

He further said that the present technology is not capable of adjusting to the BS-VI norm in three years, companies that won’t be able to meet the 2020 deadline will have to be shut down.

Problems with technical feasibility aside, SIAM says irresponsible advancement of such deadlines will mean greater safety concerns over vehicles. So if the cost of safety to gradation is considered, the auto industry and oil marketing companies (OMCs) will be looking at a bill that's far greater than the current estimate of Rs 28,000 crore.