CPCB denies AQI data tampering allegations

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Wednesday denied allegations of tampering with Delhi’s air quality data and said the monitoring stations are fully automated.

CPCB chairman Vir Vikram Yadav said the stations are fully automated. “Monitoring and data collection is automatic. Stations generate data every 15 minutes, and AQI is calculated every hour. The final AQI is based on these automated readings. There is no scope for human manipulation,” he said.

The Delhi Government has been accused of spraying with around air quality monitoring stations and even switching them off to lower readings during peak periods.

Responding to these concerns, Yadav said the placement of stations is based on scientific assessments and cannot be influenced through local actions such as spraying water around them. Delhi has 39 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations, the highest number in any Indian city.

The allegations of manipulation were first raised by political leaders and local representatives. AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bhardwaj said mobile applications were reflecting data from government stations whose readings were being influenced. He alleged that municipal trucks had been sprinkling water repeatedly around certain monitoring stations.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also questioned the reliability of the AQI data, saying both the Union and state governments should acknowledge the pollution situation and work together on solutions.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had earlier defended the monitoring network, denying allegations of manipulation.

At AQI 342, capital’s air quality remains ‘very poor’

Delhi woke up to another toxic morning on Wednesday, with the city’s air quality remaining in the “very poor” category. The city recorded an average air quality index (AQI) of 342 till 4 pm, according to the CPCB. The rise in pollution level is being linked to weather conditions, including low temperature and calm winds that prevent pollutants from dispersing.