New Delhi: Amid rising air pollution in Delhi after Diwali, a political controversy has now begun over Air Quality Index (AQI) data. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj has accused the BJP government of hiding actual pollution figures and tampering with the monitoring system. He claimed that AQI crossed 3,000 in some parts of the capital on Diwali night.
Bharadwaj alleged that some old pollution monitoring centres in Delhi were shut down and around 20 new centres were set up at locations with more greenery and relatively lower pollution. He also claimed that water is being sprayed around monitoring centres in polluted areas, which could affect pollution readings. He demanded that the government make the actual figures public.
However, according to official Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi’s average AQI was recorded at 376 on November 8, the day of Diwali. At several monitoring centres, pollution reached the severe category. On Monday morning, the AQI was recorded at 441 at Burari Crossing, 437 at Vivek Vihar and 433 at Jahangirpuri.
Bharadwaj’s claim of AQI above 3,000 is said to be based on readings from an independent monitoring platform. This figure is not an official CPCB reading and has not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, GRAP-3 restrictions are in force in Delhi to control pollution. Amid political statements over alleged manipulation of AQI data, the transparency of the monitoring system and pollution-control measures are now at the centre of discussion.
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