January 8: From March 1, vehicles that are imported must meet the new emission standards set by the National Environment Commission (NEC).

Officials from the NEC, Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA), Traffic police, Trade, Revenue and Customs, and importers met in the capital to discuss the implementation of the revised emission standard yesterday.

New vehicles brought into the country should have Euro II emission standard or above.

The Deputy Minister of Environment Dasho Nado Rinchen said the number of vehicles in the country is increasing rapidly. He said as of June last year, there are more than 34,000 vehicles in the kingdom. The figure does not include vehicles registered under the armed forces.

"The deteriorating air quality will have an adverse impact on human health. Health reports show that 40% of the patients visiting hospitals had respiratory related diseases," he said.

The meeting discussed the implementation of the enhanced emission standard, monitoring of fuel quality, and need to establish a minimum fuel standard, encouraging the public to use unleaded and better quality fuels such as speed and extra mile.