Over 1 Lakh Vehicles Received PUC Certificates Despite Violating Emission Norms
New Delhi, April 1 – Delhi's worsening air quality has been directly linked to critical lapses in its pollution control mechanisms, as revealed in a damning report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled in the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday.The report, titled ‘Vehicular Air Pollution in Delhi’, was presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and outlines significant policy failures, weak enforcement, and poor inter-agency coordination as key contributors to the capital’s toxic air crisis.
Pollution Certificates Issued Despite Violations
According to the audit, over 1.08 lakh vehicles were granted Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates even though they emitted carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) beyond permissible limits. In several instances, multiple vehicles were certified within minutes, raising red flags about procedural integrity.Between 2015 and 2020, nearly 4,000 diesel vehicles that exceeded pollution norms were still deemed compliant, allowing them to continue operating despite their high emissions.
Faulty Monitoring and Lack of Real-Time Studies
The report criticised the condition of Delhi’s Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), stating they fail to meet standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Consequently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings may not accurately reflect actual pollution levels, compromising effective decision-making.Moreover, the previous administration failed to conduct real-time studies to determine the exact sources of pollution — a major oversight in crafting targeted mitigation strategies.
Poor Enforcement and Inadequate Scrapping of Overage Vehicles
Out of 47.51 lakh end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) due for deregistration between 2018-19 and 2020-21, only 2.98 lakhwere actually deregistered — a mere 6.27%. Alarmingly, 93.73% (44.53 lakh) of these ELVs continued to be actively registered as of March 2021.The report also revealed that none of the 347 impounded vehicles were scrapped by the same period, while impounding facilities had space for only 4,000 vehicles — drastically insufficient compared to the volume awaiting disposal.
Enforcement Teams Ill-Equipped and Understaffed
The Transport Department’s enforcement branch was found to be severely understaffed and lacked vehicles equipped with PUC testing tools. This hampered the ability to check visibly polluting vehicles, especially at key entry points into the city.Additionally, deployment of teams was sub-optimal due to the absence of data on location-wise vehicular load.
ISBT Development Delays Continue Despite Supreme Court Orders
The CAG also noted that Delhi has failed to comply with Supreme Court directions issued in 1998 to establish Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) at Dwarka and Narela to prevent diesel buses from entering the city center. Over 20 years later, these ISBTs remain unbuilt.Instead, diesel buses continue to traverse the city to reach existing ISBTs at Sarai Kale Khan and Kashmiri Gate, contributing further to air pollution.
Parking Infrastructure Funds Mismanaged
The report further questioned the utilisation of taxes collected for parking infrastructure, noting that no official records were maintained regarding how these funds were spent. Poor parking infrastructure has led to congestion and increased vehicular emissions.Systemic Failures Blamed for Persistent Pollution
While the Delhi government has rolled out multiple policies and action plans over the years, the CAG concluded that poor enforcement, interdepartmental disconnect, and mismanagement have thwarted real progress.The report underscored that Delhi's pollution crisis stems not only from external contributors like stubble burning but also from vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, biomass burning, and improper waste disposal — all compounded by insufficient green cover.
