An exercise is already on in the surface-transport ministry for the purpose. Euro-I norms, as adapted to Indian conditions, will form the base for the purpose.

The study will take into account the traffic conditions, quality of fuel, ambient temperature, driving habits in the country before coming out with the new norms.

However, the switch over from Euro-I norms is bound to increase the capital cost involved in introducing multi-point fuel-injection devices and in manufacturing certain other components. This is bound to considerably raise the cost of vehicles, explain ministry officials.

Whether such an increase will be absorbed by car-makers themselves or passed on to the consumer will depend much on the market demand, they point out.For Maruti, adhering to Euro-I norms with some modifications has meant anadditional expenditure of roughly Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per vehicle, though the management has decided to absorb it without passing it on to the consumer.

All car-manufacturers are awaiting the notification from the surface-transport ministry so as to prepare themselves to adhere to the new norms, officials said, adding that sooner it was done the better.

They said that apart from fresh norms, what was vital was the fuel, the quality of which had to be drastically improved. At present, petrol used by cars has a high content of 5 per cent benzene on an average. The level has to come down to 1 per cent in order to check the emission even after changing over to Euro-II standards. Besides, adulteration has also to be prevented.

There is a big question mark over the older vehicles, officials said but they were quick to add that nothing much could be done about them as they could not be made to conform to Euro-I norms.

Officials said that by sticking to Euro II norms, consumers would be able to use fuel asrequired. This means there will be no unburnt hydrocarbon going into the exhaust.