1 day ago
Last Updated:April 01, 2025, 19:16 IST
Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused AAP chief and former CM Arvind Kejriwal of allowing more than 1.08 lakh vehicles to pollute the national capital in exchange for bribes
The CAG report flagged lapses in Delhi's pollution control measures, saying the worsening air quality has been exacerbated by them. (Image: PTI/File)
The BJP on Tuesday hit out at the previous AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal for making half-hearted efforts to curb air pollution in Delhi, alleging large-scale corruption under the former chief minister. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused Kejriwal of allowing more than one lakh vehicles to pollute the national capital in exchange for bribes.
Sirsa’s comments followed a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Delhi’s air pollution, tabled by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta before the assembly earlier in the day. The AAP has not yet responded to these charges.
The CAG report flagged lapses in Delhi’s pollution control measures, saying the worsening air quality has been exacerbated by them. These include lapses in its pollution control mechanisms, including irregularities in the issuance of PUC (pollution under control) certificates, unreliable air quality monitoring systems, and poor enforcement of pollution control measures.
The minister blamed Kejriwal for Delhi’s worsening air quality, which he alleged came from his loot and treatment of ‘Sheeshmahal’. “Why was this report not tabled till now? It has become clear why the opposition has run away from the House. The opposition is not in the House because the opposition gets a call from Mr Kejriwal. Mr Kejriwal has gone into depression and has gone to Punjab, so he is not able to come out of the shock. He has gone to Punjab to come out of the shock," he told reporters, as per news agency ANI.
He alleged that 22.14 lakh pollution checks were conducted in Delhi, but 1.08 lakh vehicles were still issued PUC certificates, despite exceeding pollution limits, in exchange for bribes. He further alleged that the AAP government had destroyed DTC buses through scams, forcing crores to switch to two-wheelers and pointed out that the bus fleet drastically shrank despite Rs 53 crore being pumped into the odd-even scheme.
“22.14 lakh pollution checks were done, and 1.08 lakh vehicles that had passed the PUC certificate exceeded the limit, but they were still given certificates after taking money, which increased pollution in Delhi. So many scams happened. How much money would the Aam Aadmi Party have made, 500 or 5,000 crore?" he questioned.
According to the report, more than 1.08 lakh vehicles were issued PUC certificates despite them emitting carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) beyond permissible limits. In many cases, multiple vehicles were issued certificates at the same time, sometimes within a minute of each other, the report said. Between 2015 and 2020, nearly 4,000 diesel vehicles that exceeded pollution limits were still certified as compliant, allowing them to remain on the road despite their high emission levels, it added.
WHAT DOES THE CAG REPORT SAY?
The CAG report on ‘Vehicular Air Pollution in Delhi’ highlighted major policy gaps and weak enforcement and poor coordination among agencies as key reasons behind the worsening pollution scenario in Delhi.
Out of the 14 CAG reports on the performance of the previous AAP dispensation in Delhi, eight, including on excise and health, have been tabled in the assembly so far by the BJP government, which assumed charge of Delhi after more than 26 years following a landslide victory in the elections held on February 5.
The report said the city’s Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) do not meet the requirements set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), leading to concerns about inaccuracies in pollution control measures. The Air Quality Index (AQI) values reported daily may not always reflect the actual pollution levels, making it difficult for the authorities to respond effectively, it noted.
The report further criticised the previous AAP government for failing to conduct any real-time studies to identify the exact sources of pollution, a crucial step in formulating targeted solutions. “Vehicles are one of the major local contributors to Delhi’s poor air quality," it said.
The findings showed that while authorities have introduced measures to control pollution, poor enforcement and lack of coordination among agencies prevented meaningful progress, as per the report. It also pointed to vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, and stubble burning as primary contributors to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. Additionally, improper waste disposal, biomass burning, and limited green cover further aggravate the situation.
The report further highlighted the government’s response and policy gaps, mentioning that multiple policies and action plans existed but they lacked strict enforcement and interdepartmental coordination. It also highlighted the need for better monitoring, stricter pollution control measures, and improved public awareness.
(With PTI inputs)
Location : First Published:April 01, 2025, 19:16 IST
News politics 'Kejriwal Allowed 1 Lakh Vehicles To Pollute…': BJP Targets AAP Over CAG Report On Delhi Air Quality
