Ban on BS-III not applicable on farm, construction vehicles: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday said the ban on sale and registration of Bharat Stage-III (BS-III ) vehicles is not applicable to equipment used for farming and construction.

The apex court had on March 29 ruled that vehicles not compliant with BS IV emission standards, cannot be sold after March 31.

The Centre on March 28 told the top court that automakers were allowed to clear unsold stocks after cut-off date when BS III and BS IV norms were introduced.

It was conveyed to the court that technically and financially it was impractical to convert BS III vehicles to BS IV, also that unsold inventories form miniscule part of 19 crore vehicles are already on Indian roads.

The development comes in the wake of the Supreme Court monitoring the alarming air pollution levels in the national capital region.

-ANI