Gadkari questions how much has been done to address Delhi’s pollution issue through ECC

NEW DELHI: Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday questioned how much had been done to address Delhi’s air pollution problem through the Environment Compensation Cess (ECC) collected from vehicles. He also pointed out that collection of municipal toll and ECC at Delhi’s borders by stopping vehicles on National Highways (NHs) defeats the aim of seamless travel, undermines huge investments made by central govt on road infrastructure and gives NHAI a bad name.

Addressing mediapersons after inaugurating the Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) or barrier-less tolling at Mundka-Bakkarwala toll plaza on UER-II, Gadkari said that despite huge investments by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to improve city’s road network, people face one major problem: “That is, collection of green cess (read ECC). I don’t want to make any comment on the order for collection of such cess. But toll collectors come to our NHs and stop vehicles. The green cess was introduced so that the amount collected is utilised to mitigate Delhi’s air pollution. I won’t like to comment on how much work has been done with the Rs 800 or 900 crore collected as such cess.”

The minister said he had earlier urged Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and is now urging local MPs to take up this issue as collection of any fee by blocking traffic nullifies govt’s efforts to make travel seamless. “The MCD is facing financial issues. The Delhi govt can help it with the fund. Otherwise, if the city govt gives GST exemptions for the works we are carrying out, we can pay that amount. We must take steps to end the problems that people face. People blame us whereas we have no role in this,” Gadkari said.

At a review meeting in June last year, the minister had suggested to Delhi CM and Lt Governor removal of physical entry fee collection points on city's borders, calling them a “nuisance” for commuters.

Gadkari also urged commuters to follow traffic rules, warning them that details of violators, with proof captured on cameras, would be shared with Delhi and Haryana authorities for action.