Delhi releases missing Diwali night data showing extreme PM2.5 levels
Fine particulate matter concentrations reached 3,744 micrograms per cubic metre at one location, exceeding national standards by more than 60 times.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) released missing air quality data on Monday, revealing that PM2.5 concentrations soared to 3,744 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) at one location during Diwali night. According to reports from The New Indian Express and Hindustan Times, these readings, released around 8 pm on Monday, show that levels at several stations exceeded 2,000 µg/m³ in the early hours of Monday.
Mundka recorded the highest concentration of 3,744 µg/m³ at 2 am. Other high readings included 3,023 µg/m³ at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at 4 am and 3,008 µg/m³ at the NSUT West Campus station at 5 am. Mandir Marg, Nehru Nagar, and Wazirpur also recorded concentrations above 2,000 µg/m³.
The release follows questions regarding missing data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) during peak smog hours. An analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that more than 20 monitoring stations were not reporting data between midnight and 2 am. All 125 station-hour readings missing from CPCB records were above 1,000 µg/m³ in the DPCC data.
A government official told Hindustan Times that technical glitches occurred but maintained that all 43 stations are providing data. Meanwhile, AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP-led Delhi government of manipulating data and alleged that monitoring stations were shut down during peak pollution.
The BJP accused the AAP of a conspiracy to keep pollution high by encouraging stubble burning in Punjab. Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra cited approximately 1,200 stubble-burning incidents reported in Punjab on Sunday.