Tue Apr 01 13:03:50 UTC 2025: ## Delhi’s AAP Government Accused of Massive Air Pollution Failures in CAG Report

**New Delhi** – A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, tabled in the Delhi Assembly, has revealed significant failures by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in tackling the city’s chronic air pollution problem during its previous term. The report, part of a broader audit of the AAP administration by the newly elected BJP government, details widespread irregularities and a lack of effective pollution control measures.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Sirsa, of the BJP, seized on the report, accusing the AAP of allowing over 108,000 vehicles with excessive carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions to operate on Delhi’s roads. He further alleged corruption in tenders for CNG buses and anti-smog towers, claiming a loss of over Rs 87 lakh and the disappearance of a Rs 22 crore smog tower. These accusations, he stated, contributed to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality.

The CAG report itself highlighted several key failings:

* **Vehicular Emissions:** The AAP government failed to maintain adequate data on vehicles, their emission levels, and lacked source-specific plans to address pollution. Nearly 4,000 diesel vehicles exceeding emission norms were incorrectly certified as compliant. The report also noted a significant reduction in the city’s bus fleet, contrary to recommended increases.

* **Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificates:** Irregularities in issuing PUC certificates were rampant, with multiple vehicles receiving certificates from the same center within minutes of each other – a clear violation of testing procedures.

* **Air Quality Monitoring:** The report criticized unreliable air quality monitors, inadequate data collection by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (missing up to 16 hours of daily data), and a lack of data on benzene levels at fuel stations.

The CAG report concludes with a strong recommendation for the current Delhi government to urgently implement comprehensive measures to improve air quality monitoring and control vehicular emissions. The AAP is yet to respond to these allegations. The BJP’s landslide victory in the recent Delhi Assembly elections saw the AAP’s vote share significantly reduced. Both Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, key AAP figures, lost their seats.

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