Delhi PAC report: Most air quality monitors meet CPCB norms; transport, pollution checks see progress

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has found that nearly all continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) in Delhi, except for Anand Vihar, RK Puram, and Jahangirpuri, comply with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, according to a report tabled in the Delhi Assembly on Monday.

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The PAC’s assessment comes in response to a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) performance audit on “Prevention and Mitigation of Vehicular Air Pollution in Delhi” for the year ended March 31, 2021. The CAG had flagged issues at 13 CAAQMS sites related to their proximity to trees, high-rise buildings, major roads, and unpaved areas, which could lead to inaccurate readings.


The PAC report noted that a joint team from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and CPCB was formed in 2022 to review the CAAQMS locations. While Anand Vihar, RK Puram, and Jahangirpuri did not meet all citing criteria, authorities decided not to relocate them to ensure continuity of data and to capture high-pollution “outlier” readings. CPCB monitoring at an alternative site near Anand Vihar found no significant change in air quality parameters.

The report also addressed CAG observations on pollutant measurements. DPCC clarified that while CAAQMS do not monitor lead, it was tested at five locations between April and September 2022, with no significant levels detected. Regarding benzene, vapour recovery systems have been installed at fuel stations by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) as per CPCB guidelines.

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On vehicular pollution checks, the PAC cited the transport department’s explanation that discrepancies in PUC inspections occurred due to legacy data issues with the Delhi e-Governance Society (DeGS). The problem was resolved after shifting the application to NIC servers. Between May 2023 and February 2025, 1,850 inspections were conducted, leading to action against 491 centres.

To boost public transport and last-mile connectivity, the PAC report highlighted plans for 100 electric DTC buses under the DEVI scheme. The transport department has signed an MoU with IIT Delhi for route rationalisation of 9-metre buses, with a separate MoU for 12-metre DEVI buses expected to be completed within six months.

(With inputs from TOI)