Delhi govt crosses swords with EPCA over purchase of e-buses from ECC funds

The Delhi government has locked horns with the Supreme Court-appointed EPCA over a 'proposal' to purchase 1,000 e-buses from the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) funds, to combat air pollution in the city.

In its report submitted to the apex court, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) has expressed reservations about the city government's proposal for procuring 1,000 e-buses, citing "lack of detailing" as well as the government's past track record of bus procurement.

The ruling AAP, however, said no such proposal had been submitted by it in the court so far.

"The Delhi government has so far only submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, outlining the various projects for which it will be using the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) funds," the statement said.

ECC is a green tax imposed on the entry of commercial vehicles in the national capital. A sum of Rs 999.25 crore has been collected under this tax till April 12 this year.

Hitting out at the EPCA's observations, the Delhi government said, "Rather than casting aspersions on the government's ability to carry out its plans, concerned individuals should have done their own job first...i.e. of clearly informing the Supreme Court if they are in favour of replacing CNG bus fleet with electric buses, and if this project can be supported by ECC funds.

"No clear view has been expressed on this central point asked by the Supreme Court," said the statement by the Delhi government.

The EPCA panel, in its report to the Supreme Court, had said that it was not in a position to recommend that the court should clear the proposal as given in an intervention application of the Delhi government.

Citing the reasons for rejecting the city government's proposal, the environment panel said, "The government of NCT Delhi has not done sufficient work to detail out the proposal for induction of 1,000 e-buses and its necessary infrastructure.

"Also, the Delhi government's past track record of inducting conventional CNG buses has been lacking. It is therefore, all the more imperative, that better design and detail, is provided for this necessary project," it said.

The Delhi government, however, said it was yet to complete the technical detailing of the project and was currently in the process of appointing a consultant for the project.

"An ill-informed opinion has been put out in the media," it said in response to the EPCA reports.

The ruling AAP said the city government was in "advanced stages" of procuring 2,000 CNG buses, but it had nothing to do with its plans to induct 1,000 e-buses, which is a separate project.