Delhi's Pollution Control Funds Largely Unutilized, Highlighting Implementation Gaps
New Delhi: A significant portion of funds designated for combating pollution in the national capital remains idle, according to recent government data. The Delhi government has spent only Rs 781.4 crore out of the total Rs 1,753.2 crore collected through the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) until December 4 last year. This leaves a substantial Rs 971.8 crore—amounting to 55.4% of the total collection—lying unused, raising questions about the effectiveness of pollution control measures.
Supreme Court-Mandated Charge Fails to Deter Polluting Vehicles
The ECC is levied on commercial vehicles entering Delhi, as per Supreme Court directives, specifically targeting those not destined for the city. The primary objective is to reduce vehicular pollution by discouraging unnecessary transit through the capital. However, the current rates appear insufficient to achieve this goal.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recently submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, highlighting that both the ECC and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) toll charges have remained unchanged for years. The ECC rates have not been revised since 2015, while MCD toll charges have also stagnated. This stagnation has inadvertently made passing through Delhi a cheaper and more convenient option for many commercial vehicles compared to using the eastern or western peripheral expressways.
CAQM Recommends Rate Rationalization to Restore Deterrent Effect
In its affidavit, CAQM emphasized the need for a comprehensive review and rationalization of toll and ECC rates. "Given the tendency of commercial vehicles to pass through Delhi to travel shorter distances and avoid higher tolls on the eastern and western peripheral expressways, a review and rationalisation of toll and ECC rates is suggested to restore their deterrent effect," the commission stated.
To illustrate the disparity, CAQM provided a comparative example: an empty two-axle truck entering Delhi pays Rs 700, including MCD toll and ECC. In contrast, the same truck would incur Rs 1,005 on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway or Rs 945 on the Western Peripheral Expressway. Additionally, the shorter route within Delhi results in fuel savings, further incentivizing this choice.
Experts Advocate for Regular Revisions and Enhanced Surveillance
Environmental experts have echoed CAQM's concerns, stressing the urgency of revising charges to reflect current pollution challenges. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, remarked, "Rates should be revised regularly to ensure that passing through Delhi is more expensive than using the peripheral expressways." She also called for strengthened surveillance at entry points, real-time data transparency, and higher charges for commercial vehicles entering the capital.
Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at thinktank Envirocatalysts, highlighted the seasonal impact of such vehicles. "Such vehicles add to the pollution load, especially during the winter season when Delhi's AQI is mostly above 300. ECC and MCD toll charges should be revised to discourage them from entering the capital," he asserted.
CAQM Insists on Uninterrupted ECC Imposition and Technological Upgrades
CAQM has firmly opposed any suspension of ECC collection, warning that such a move could exacerbate congestion and pollution by encouraging non-destined commercial traffic through Delhi. Instead, the commission recommended that MCD expedite the installation and operationalization of a barrier-free multi-lane system at all 126 toll points by October 2026. This system, integrated with RFID and automatic number plate recognition technology, aims to reduce vehicular stoppage and congestion at border entry points.
Recent data from December 2025 sheds light on toll collection patterns: 37.6 lakh vehicles paid toll at MCD plazas, with 36.9 lakh using RFID and 70,602 paying in cash. Additionally, 69,465 vehicles utilized monthly passes. In the same month, 1.2 lakh vehicles paid ECC across the toll plazas. On a daily basis, an average of 1.2 lakh vehicles pay toll, while 3,864 pay ECC. MCD generates approximately Rs 865 crore annually from toll collections.
Under-Utilization of Funds Undermines Environmental Objectives
CAQM expressed concern over the unutilized ECC funds, noting that "This under-utilisation dilutes the effectiveness of ECC as an environment protection measure." The idle funds represent a missed opportunity to invest in pollution mitigation initiatives, potentially undermining Delhi's efforts to improve air quality and public health.
The situation underscores the need for a multi-faceted approach: revising financial deterrents, enhancing technological infrastructure, and ensuring efficient utilization of collected funds. As Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution, particularly during winter months, the effective implementation of these measures becomes increasingly critical for safeguarding the environment and the well-being of its residents.
