AN OVERVIEW OF THE VEHICULAR EMISSION LEGISLATIONS IN INDIA

Three Indian conurbations (Delhi, Mumbai, and Calcutta) already face serious air pollution problems, mainly from vehicle emissions. Several laws have been enacted in India, which directly or indirectly affect various aspects of vehicle emissions. This paper collects, reviews, and summarises this legislation and its rules and regulations, so that it can be used as a ready reference. India is one of the few countries which have provided constitutional safeguards for protecting and conserving the environment. It has passed many environmental laws, but unfortunately they are too often not effectively implemented. Due to the rapid growth in motor vehicle traffic, fuel consumption and resulting air pollution have also risen rapidly, and produced many adverse health effects. The most important Indian laws addressing vehicle emissions are: (1) the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981; (2) the Environment (Protection) Act 1986; and (3) the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) 1988, including the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) 1989. The paper outlines the first two Acts, and gives extensive details of the MVA and the CMVR. It also includes two tables of Indian vehicle emission standards, discusses some critical issues, and draws several conclusions.