New Delhi-NCR clean mobility scheme targets older BS-IV trucks and buses to cut air pollution

📌 Summary:

• The Union Cabinet on June 3 approved a two-year clean mobility scheme for Delhi-NCR to cut air pollution by incentivising replacement of older trucks and buses with BS-VI (or stricter) emission-compliant vehicles.
• Government vehicles are excluded from the scheme.
• Bharat Stage (BS) norms regulate vehicular emissions: BS-IV capped pollutants like NOx, CO and particulate matter (PM); BS-VI imposed stricter tailpipe limits, cleaner fuels, and advanced onboard diagnostics.
• The scheme specifically targets BS-IV-compliant older trucks and buses, building on earlier EV/BS-VI push schemes such as PM-eBus Sewa.

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (Environment — air pollution control, vehicular emissions, clean mobility transition; EIA/conservation). Links to NCAP and urban air-quality governance.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on June 3, 2026; duration two years; Delhi-NCR specific.
• BS = Bharat Stage emission standards; current top norm is BS-VI.
• Government vehicles are excluded; related scheme: PM-eBus Sewa.
• BS-VI mandates stricter limits on NOx, CO and particulate matter plus onboard diagnostics.

🔑 Key Term: Bharat Stage (BS) norms — India's vehicular emission standards (modelled on Euro norms) that set permissible limits for tailpipe pollutants and fuel quality.