The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has amassed a substantial Rs 112 crore in environmental compensation from April 2015 to November 2024, a report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) disclosed. This fund, derived from fines levied on violators of environmental norms, underscores the application of the “polluter pays” principle advocated by the Central Pollution Control Board.
The NGT, concerned with the execution and impact of environmental compensation, sought detailed accounts from the DPCC on both the collection and the allocation of these funds. According to the committee’s December 26 report, approximately Rs 36.05 crore of the collected amount has been spent on various environmental restoration and enhancement projects.
The largest portion of the expenditure, about Rs 10.11 crore, was dedicated to informational, educational, and communication initiatives. Close behind, Rs 8.77 crore was allocated to bolster monitoring systems, which included the setup and maintenance of continuous ambient air quality and noise monitoring stations. Laboratory enhancements followed, with an investment of Rs 6.79 crore, while Rs 5.11 crore supported studies directed by the NGT.
Additional funds were allocated to research and development, hiring experts and consultants, and other scientific and technical purposes. However, notable gaps in fund utilization were identified, with no expenditures reported for remediation of contaminated sites, capacity building, and specialized studies on a variety of environmental impacts.
The report also highlighted the sources of these compensations, with air pollution and construction activities topping the list, contributing Rs 18.84 crore and Rs 18.60 crore respectively. Medical establishments and hotels found in contravention of environmental laws also contributed significant amounts, totaling Rs 17.68 crore and Rs 13 crore respectively.
Lesser but noteworthy contributions came from penalties imposed on plastic bag usage, green norm violations by malls, and illegal borewell operations. Additionally, the DPCC enforced fines in “non-confirming areas” for various infractions including the use of illegal generators, improper disposal practices in the River Yamuna, and unauthorized use of plastic bags.
