Question

Steps taken by the Government of India to control air pollution include

• A. compulsory PUC (Pollution under control) certification of petrol driven vehicles which tests for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons
• B. permission to use only pure diesel with a maximum of 500 ppm sulphur as fuel for vehicles
• C. use of non-polluting compressed natural gas (CNG) only as fuel by all buses and trucks
• D. compulsory mixing of 20% ethyl alcohol with petrol and 20% biodiesel with diesel

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The government of India has implemented several measures to control air pollution. Let's evaluate the given options to determine which of these are accurate steps taken by the government:

1. Compulsory PUC (Pollution under control) certification of petrol-driven vehicles:

   This measure checks for carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons emissions from vehicles. The PUC certification is mandatory and aims to ensure that vehicles comply with emission standards to reduce air pollution. This is indeed an implemented step by the government to control air pollution.

2. Permission to use only pure diesel with a maximum of 500 ppm sulphur as fuel for vehicles:

   The government has taken steps to control sulphur content in diesel, but the specific requirement to use only pure diesel with a maximum of 500 ppm is not accurate. The country has moved towards ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) with a sulphur content of just 10 ppm as part of the Bharat Stage VI norms. Thus, this option isn't entirely correct as per the current standards.

3. Use of non-polluting compressed natural gas (CNG) only as fuel by all buses and trucks:

   While CNG is promoted as a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel, the mandate for all buses and trucks to use only CNG is not enforced universally across the nation. Many vehicles still operate on diesel, although CNG adoption is encouraged and incentivized in several cities.

4. Compulsory mixing of 20% ethyl alcohol with petrol and 20% biodiesel with diesel:

   The government has initiated biofuel policies, but a compulsory 20% mixing is not implemented as of now. Current policies involve gasohol (a 10% ethanol mix) and promote research to increase the percentage gradually, but 20% is not yet mandatory.

Based on the analysis, the correct answer is: compulsory PUC (Pollution under control) certification of petrol-driven vehicles which tests for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. This is a mandatory and well-enforced measure to control vehicular emissions in India.