Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Monday gave information that Punjab Transport department has blacklisted 5,706 BS IV vehicles that were registered in a fraudulent manner. He added that as per guidelines issued by Supreme Court, these vehicles are not to be registered under any circumstances as there is a complete ban on the same. This ban was put on BS IV vehicles on March 31, 2020.
Reportedly, Laljit Singh Bhullar said despite the ban, state has vehicles registered fraudulently and till now 5,706 vehicles have come under the department’s scanner. While giving information about the same, he added that an investigation regarding matter was initiated which revealed that vehicle owners, company dealers and officials of regional transport authority offices tampered with chassis numbers and engine to register the vehicles.
He said, “So far, 5,706 vehicles have been identified and an investigation is on for the identification of other vehicles. The erring employees and persons involved in it will not be spared.”
BS IV were totally ruled out as these vehicles had higher Sulphur content which resulted in increase in emission drastically and cause serious damage to the fuel delivery system. The high amount of sulphur also used to clog fuel filter and catalytic converter, which will affect the fuel economy of diesel cars.
Supreme court on 31 March 2020 stated that as per latest mandate, sale and purchase of Bharat Stage IV vehicles will be banned after April 2020. The court post this decision asked all car manufacturers to clear their stock of BS4 vehicles before given deadline. Still, after the notice there were many vehicles in Punjab that were registered fraudulently.
Here is the list that was provided by RTI Activist, Mr. Sanjay Sehgal