Gadkari clears Rs 5,000 IIT-Delhi fix for old vehicles; can cut pollution by 90%

Looking to tackle the growing problem of pollution, the government is now looking to curb vehicular emissions with the help of a new innovation from IIT Delhi.Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced the move, saying it would supplement the government’s existing programme to scrap and replace old heavy vehicles.Retrofitting old trucks and busesThe government is preparing to allow ageing and heavily polluting trucks and buses to be equipped with retrofit emission-control devices (RECDs), which can cut particulate matter emissions by up to 90% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 60%.Speaking at an event organised by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), Gadkari said the technology, developed from an innovation at IIT-Delhi, had successfully completed testing.The devices can be fitted on BS-IV, BS-III and older diesel vehicles, bringing their emissions to levels comparable with BS-VI vehicles.Similar emission-control technology has already been deployed in diesel generator sets to curb pollution.…