Will ECC be scrapped? Nitin Gadkari questions Delhi on green initiatives amid levy charge

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) green initiatives, particularly questioning the rationale behind the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) imposed on commercial vehicles. He argued that the funds generated from this levy have not been utilized effectively for pollution control, suggesting that there may be misuse. Gadkari proposed that instead of continuing with the ECC, the Delhi government should explore alternative funding mechanisms to support environmental initiatives. His comments come amid ongoing discussions about Delhi's air quality issues and the need for sustainable solutions to combat pollution. The ECC, introduced to curb vehicular emissions, has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it has not yielded the desired results in improving the capital's air quality. The Minister's remarks underscore the urgency for a reassessment of current environmental policies and funding strategies to ensure that efforts to address pollution are both effective and transparent.