New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged significant lapses in the control of vehicular air pollution in the national capital, reporting that Delhi recorded ‘Poor’ to ‘Severe’ air quality on 1,195 out of 2,137 days — 56 per cent — between May 2015 and March 2021.
In its performance audit report tabled in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, the CAG noted the absence of real-time studies to assess the contribution of various sources, including vehicles, to air pollution. The audit revealed that the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) had no comprehensive data on the number, type, or emission load of vehicles plying in the city.
The report highlighted major discrepancies in the Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) issued during the audit period. Of 22.14 lakh diesel vehicles tested between August 2015 and August 2020, test values were missing in 5.39 lakh cases (24 per cent). In 4,007 cases, PUCCs were issued despite vehicles failing the emission norms.
Similarly, 1.08 lakh petrol, CNG, and LPG vehicles were also issued PUCCs even though their emission readings exceeded prescribed limits.
The audit observed that only 12 per cent of vehicle fitness tests were conducted at automated fitness centres. More than 90 per cent were done at the Burari centre through visual inspections. Of the 47.51 lakh End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) identified, only 2.98 lakh were de-registered during 2018–2021. None of the 347 impounded vehicles were scrapped during the same period.
The city also faced a shortage of public transport buses. Only 6,750 buses were operational as against the requirement of 9,000. No concrete action was taken to implement other mass transit options such as Light Rail Transit, Monorail, or Electric Trolley Buses despite budgetary allocations.
Remote Sensing Devices (RSDs) for on-road vehicle emission monitoring, under discussion since 2009, had not been deployed. Vapour Recovery Systems at fuel stations were also not monitored despite benzene readings exceeding limits in 10 of 24 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations.
The CAG noted that there was no regular inspection or third-party audit of Pollution Checking Centres. The report concluded that enforcement and compliance remained weak, contributing to sustained high levels of vehicular air pollution in Delhi.
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