AAP Alleges Delhi Government Shut Monitoring Stations to Hide Diwali Pollution Data

UPDATE - follow-up to Delhi air pollution: AAP slams Delhi govt for alleged air quality data 'manipulation': The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday morning attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Delhi over the alleged manipulation of air quality data by shutting down monitoring stations.

The Allegations

AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj stated in a video on X that the government shuts down monitoring stations on the night of Diwali and commits data fraud. He added that the party had written to the CAQM and CPCB about this, but everyone remains silent because they are part of the fraud.

Pollution Levels

PM2.5 levels in parts of the city soared to 66 times the World Health Organization guideline after residents burst firecrackers past the Supreme Court's 10 p.m. deadline on Sunday night. Data from several Delhi Pollution Control Committee monitoring stations were unavailable for hours during this peak pollution period, raising concerns that the actual pollution spike was even higher.

Context

Delhi faces severe winter air pollution every year, often worsened by firecrackers during Diwali and stubble burning from neighboring states. Accurate air quality data is crucial for authorities to issue health warnings and take emergency action to protect citizens.