Delhi AAP leader alleges 'AQI fraud' as monitoring stations go silent

Saurabh Bharadwaj, a senior Aam Aadmi Party leader, has levelled serious charges against the government, suggesting systematic manipulation of air quality data in the national capital. According to Bharadwaj, several monitoring stations stopped transmitting readings on Diwali night, precisely when atmospheric conditions had deteriorated significantly. Those stations that remained operational during the period recorded severe air quality indices, he claimed, pointing to a disparity in reported data.

The allegations underscore persistent concerns about the transparency and accuracy of Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) measurements, particularly during the post-Diwali period when firecracker bursts typically cause sharp spikes in pollution levels. The incident raises questions about the reliability of data collected by various monitoring stations across the city and the protocols governing their operations during peak pollution events.

The controversy coincides with Delhi's annual struggle with deteriorating air quality during the winter months, when meteorological conditions trap pollutants close to the ground. Authorities have faced criticism in previous years over inconsistencies in air quality reporting and the timing of pollution data releases. The fresh allegations add pressure on the government to clarify operational procedures at monitoring stations and ensure consistent, verifiable reporting during critical pollution episodes.