PAC Pulls Up Delhi Government Over Pollution Monitoring Gaps

26 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has criticised the Delhi government for substantive gaps in air pollution monitoring and shortcomings in public transport services, noting risks to public health and urban mobility. The committee found that monitoring systems lacked maintenance and that data reporting was inconsistent, undermining policy responses to deteriorating air quality in the capital.

The PAC observed that several monitoring stations were offline at intervals and that instrument calibration and upkeep were inadequate, reducing the reliability of air quality readings. It found that data transparency was limited and that there was an absence of a robust mechanism for real time dissemination, which impeded timely advisories and long term planning by municipal and health authorities.

On public transport, the committee highlighted deficiencies in fleet upkeep, scheduling and integration that had led to commuter inconvenience and increased private vehicle use. The PAC noted that last mile connectivity remained weak and that the existing bus services did not offer sufficient frequency or reliability to shift travel behaviour at scale, thereby exacerbating congestion and emissions.

The PAC recommended that the government prioritise repair and expansion of monitoring infrastructure, introduce systematic calibration regimes and publish verified data through an accessible dashboard. It urged a review of procurement and maintenance practices for buses and staff training, and suggested accelerated adoption of low emission vehicles alongside improved route planning and payment integration.

The Delhi government was instructed to prepare a comprehensive action plan addressing the committee's concerns, with periodic progress reports to the PAC and clear accountability lines among agencies. The committee stressed that strengthened monitoring and better public transport services were essential to protect health and to deliver sustainable urban mobility for residents.

Resources

03 Jun 2026

Jyoti Structures Launches Heat Safety Drive Across Sites

Jyoti Structures (JSL) has strengthened heat safety measures across its project sites and manufacturing facilities as temperatures rise across India. The company has implemented a Summer Safety Plan covering all transmission line projects to address risks related to heat stress, dehydration and worker fatigue.The initiative includes rescheduling work away from peak afternoon temperatures, provision of drinking water, ORS and lemon-salt solutions, and installation of rest shelters near work areas. Daily toolbox talks, worker health monitoring, first-aid preparedness, emergency transport arrange..

MHADA Declares 82 Buildings Most Dangerous in Central and South Mumbai

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has declared 82 buildings as most dangerous across Central and South Mumbai and has appealed to residents to vacate immediately. The list, prepared after structural assessments by the authority, identifies buildings judged to pose imminent risk to occupants and to passersby. Local civic bodies have been asked to coordinate evacuations and to make arrangements for temporary shelter and rehabilitation for displaced households. Officials said the authority prioritised buildings with visible structural distress, severe cracking, tiltin..

Damage Reported At Halwara Airport Terminal After First Rains

Severe damage was reported at the terminal of Halwara Airport during the first major rain spell of the season, prompting immediate concern among aviation and local authorities. Images from the site showed water ingress and visible deterioration of the terminal interior, affecting passenger areas and ancillary services. The airport authority suspended certain operations temporarily to assess structural safety and ensure passenger wellbeing. Preliminary inspections have prioritised electrical systems and roof seals to prevent further water ingress. State aviation officials ordered a formal inqui..