CAG finds multiple shortcomings in AAP govt’s efforts to curb air pollution

A recent Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) report has uncovered several shortcomings across various departments of the previous AAP government in Delhi, which may have contributed to the authorities’ failure to effectively tackle air pollution in the national capital.

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The report highlights that vehicular emissions were the major source of pollution in Delhi, with their origins within the city, making them potentially controllable by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). Consequently, the CAG audit focused on assessing whether the Delhi Government had taken adequate steps to mitigate vehicular emissions impacting the city’s air quality.

Among the key findings, the CAG report pointed to significant gaps in the government’s efforts to control vehicular emissions. These included a lack of information regarding the types and numbers of vehicles operating in Delhi and an absence of comprehensive assessments of their emission loads. Additionally, the report flagged the shortage of public transport buses and inadequate last-mile connectivity, which contributed to increased reliance on personal vehicles. The Delhi Government also failed to implement cleaner alternatives such as ‘Monorail and Light Rail Transit’ and ‘Electronic Trolley Buses.’

“There were significant discrepancies in the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification system and a large number of vehicle users were not getting their vehicles checked as per norms,” the report noted. Furthermore, it stated that the system for issuing ‘fitness’ certificates to commercial vehicles was “dysfunctional” and “prone to misuse.”

The audit also observed that the AAP-led Delhi Government had not taken any action to implement the “Delhi Management and Parking Places Rules,” which are designed to prevent vehicle stagnation and alleviate traffic congestion caused by haphazard parking.

With a population of over two crores, Delhi is one of the world’s most densely populated cities, leading to an increased demand for vehicles, energy, and construction activities, all of which negatively affect air quality. According to the report, Delhi’s air quality was classified as ‘poor’ to ‘severe’ for 1,195 out of 2,137 days (56 percent) over the past five years, resulting in significant health risks to the population.

The audit further flagged concerns about the location of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), stating that these stations did not meet the requirements set by the Central Pollution Control Board, which could lead to inaccurate data and unreliable Air Quality Index (AQI) values.

Additionally, the report noted a shortage of public transport buses, with only 6,750 buses available against a re-assessed need for 9,000. The public transport system also faced challenges due to a high number of DTC buses remaining off-road, inadequate bus route coverage, and a failure to rationalize existing bus routes effectively.