Pradhan launches BS-IV grade fuel distribution across India

Bhubaneswar, April 1: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday formally launched the BS-IV grade fuel distribution across the country on the occasion of Utkala Dibasa here.

In a bid to provide a clean environment, the minister launched distribution of the BS-IV grade fuel in 13 cities through video conferencing here.

Pradhan termed the initiative as the beginning of a new era to reduce environment pollution.

"Today we begin a new era of clean transportation fuels that will benefit 1.25 billion citizens of our country by substantially reducing pollution levels in our cities," the minister said.

While BS-IV grade fuels have been introduced from April 1, the BS-VI standard fuels have been targeted to be launched from 2020.

"Migration to BS-IV fuels shows India's resolve under the leadership of the Prime Minister to cut down emissions in a voluntary commitment to @COP21," Pradhan tweeted.

Speaking on the ongoing tussle with the Odisha government over IOCL's refinery project at Paradeep, Pradhan said the Centre is ready for a fresh dialogue to break the deadlock between the Odisha government and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).

The state government has denied providing fiscal incentives to the company's 15 million-tonne crude oil refinery at Paradeep in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district.

"The present government at the Centre is not responsible for the delay in setting up of the project. The expansion of the refinery's capacity from nine million tonnes to 15 million tonnes is good for the people of the state. If the Odisha government feels that there should be more financial support to minimise the state's burden, we are ready for fresh negotiations," said Pradhan.