Experts flag Delhi AQI data gaps as monitoring stations go offline
Thirty-six of Delhi's 59 air quality monitoring stations failed to report data during peak pollution hours on Sunday night.
According to the Times of India, several air quality monitoring stations in Delhi stopped providing readings during the peak firecracker hours on Sunday night. This occurred as the city recorded its most polluted Diwali in five years, with an average air quality index (AQI) of 376.
An analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) showed that the number of non-reporting stations rose significantly throughout the night. At 11 pm on Sunday, 23 stations were missing data, a figure that increased to 36 stations by 1 am on Monday.
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said the lack of readings during such a critical period was difficult to justify given the public funds used to maintain the network. She noted that the absence of real-time data hinders the ability of authorities to issue health warnings.
Senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the Delhi government of manipulating figures, describing the situation as "data fraud". He claimed authorities were attempting to show lower pollution levels than what was actually recorded.
Delhi cabinet minister Kapil Mishra said he would seek action after being asked about the missing readings during a press conference. He requested reporters to provide specific details regarding the stations that were not functioning.
Radhey Shyam Sharma, head of the Department of Environmental Studies at Delhi University, said transparency and accountability are essential during such a severe emergency.