Delhi used only 32% of funds to control air pollution: Minister
Delhi utilised only 32 per cent of the Rs 42.69 crore funds released by the Central Government for mitigating the rising air pollution in the national capital from financial years 2021 to 2024, Parliament was told.
Responding to a query, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav said a sum of Rs 11.25 crore was released in 2021-22, Rs 22.50 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 8.94 crore in 2023-24. However, Delhi spent only Rs 13.56 crore till November 19 this year.
The Minister said the funds were released by the Centre to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi through the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) withheld further grants due to Delhi’s poor performance score.
Meanwhile, in response to the Supreme Court’s directive and escalating air quality crisis in Delhi-NCR, the Government of India unveiled a multifaceted strategy to tackle pollution. It aimed at addressing both episodic sources such as stubble burning and firecrackers and ongoing contributors, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and construction dust.
The Supreme Court had directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to establish a special cell to enforce a ban on the manufacture, storage and use of firecrackers.
Citing the TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute)-ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) study from 2018, the Centre said stubble burning, vehicular emissions and industrial activities were major contributors to Delhi’s air pollution.
While stubble burning contributes four-seven percent to particulate matter levels, impact during peak months such as October is believed to be higher, which was not calculated in the study.
“The CPCB has also been provided grants to establish biomass processing plants. These plants are expected to utilise 2.7 lakh tonnes of paddy straw annually. Further, thermal power plants in the NCR region are mandated to co-fire at least five percent biomass pellets alongside coal, promoting sustainable residue management,” it added.
The Centre said monitoring and enforcement had also intensified, particularly during the peak stubble burning season.
“The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has developed state-specific frameworks for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi, with CPCB teams deployed to ensure compliance. The Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat plant alone is expected to utilise 2 lakh metric tonnes of paddy straw annually, with another plant under construction in Bathinda, Punjab,” it said.
