The Delhi Air Crisis: Where Are The Crores Collected To Fight Pollution Actually Going?

Digital Desk

A recent meeting between the Prime Minister and the Delhi Chief Minister sparked an unexpected debate. The focus wasn't the politics, but an air purifier humming in the background of the room. This single appliance has become a potent symbol of a deepening crisis and has raised urgent questions about the utilization of massive funds collected specifically to combat Delhi's toxic air.

For a decade, Delhi's winters have been synonymous with a grey, hazardous smog, disrupting lives, schools, and businesses. The tragic irony, however, lies in the fact that as the capital's air becomes more poisonous, the city government's revenue from pollution-linked sources continues to grow, without a corresponding mitigation of the crisis.

The Collection vs. Utilization Paradox

Investigations reveal a staggering financial inflow dedicated to cleaning Delhi's air. Consider these figures:

Green Cess: From 2015 to 2023, a "Green Cess" levied on trucks entering Delhi has collected approximately ₹1,491 crore.

Pollution Fines: Stringent actions against polluting vehicles have yielded crores in fines.

Environmental Compensation: Industries have paid around ₹112 crore as environmental compensation.

The critical failure, however, lies in expenditure. Reports indicate that the Green Cess has been utilized only seven times in eight years, largely under Supreme Court directives, leaving ₹711 crore unspent.

Similarly, only ₹36 crore of the environmental compensation fund has been used, with a significant portion spent on "Information, Education, and Communication" campaigns rather than tangible mitigation projects like ecological studies or source reduction.

This pattern of underutilization extends to central funds. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) allocated ₹42.69 crore to Delhi, of which only 32% has been used. Even more shockingly, less than 1% of the ₹858 crore allocated for the "Control of Pollution" scheme in 2024-25 has been spent.

A Perverse Economic Model?

This financial inertia creates a perverse economic cycle. As pollution worsens, the sale of air purifiers and respiratory healthcare services skyrockets. The GST collected from these crisis-driven purchases adds to the government's revenue.

Essentially, the state profits from the very problem it is failing to solve, while the common citizen bears the health and financial burden.

Beyond the Blame Game: The Need for Transparent Solutions

The debate often devolves into a blame game between states over stubble burning. While a regional approach is essential, Delhi must lead with accountability for the funds it collects.

The solution lies not in symbolic projects like malfunctioning smog towers, but in systemic change.

Experts suggest creating a dedicated 'Delhi Clean Air Fund,' where every rupee from pollution fines and cess is transparently allocated to actionable projects: incentivizing farmers not to burn stubble, massive investment in electric public transport, creating dust-free roads, and ensuring real-world results are linked to funding.

The image of an air purifier in a high-level meeting is more than a talking point; it is a stark reminder of the sealed bubbles the privileged can afford.

For millions, however, there is no escape. The crores collected in the name of clean air must now be made to work for them, with urgency and transparency. The health of India's capital depends on it.