New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has called for the immediate discontinuation of the Environment Compensation Charge imposed on commercial vehicles entering and exiting Delhi, questioning both its effectiveness and utilisation. Speaking at a public event, the minister said the levy has failed to deliver tangible environmental benefits and has instead added to the burden on transporters and ordinary citizens.
The Environment Compensation Charge, commonly referred to as the green tax, is collected from commercial vehicles as they cross into the national capital. It was introduced in 2015 following directions from the Supreme Court of India, with the stated objective of discouraging polluting vehicles and helping address Delhi’s chronic air pollution problem. The charge is collected in addition to existing toll fees at city entry points.
Gadkari said he had raised the issue during meetings with civic authorities, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, seeking clarity on how the funds collected through the tax were being used. According to him, officials were unable to point to any meaningful contribution toward green or pollution control initiatives. He questioned the rationale of continuing a levy when its core purpose was not being fulfilled.
The minister said he was told the charge continued due to court directions, prompting him to approach the Delhi government for immediate intervention. He argued that if the civic body requires financial support, the state government could instead provide direct grants earmarked for air quality improvement rather than relying on what he described as an ineffective toll.
Highlighting concerns over Delhi’s persistently poor air quality, Gadkari noted that merely collecting additional taxes without targeted spending does little to improve ground realities. He stressed that pollution control requires focused investment in cleaner transport, better road infrastructure, and sustainable mobility solutions.
Gadkari also indicated that he has appealed for a review of the policy so that relief can be extended to the public. Emphasising the need for accountability, he said environmental measures must be results driven and transparent, rather than symbolic charges that inconvenience commuters while failing to deliver cleaner air for the capital.
