Delhi AQI Data Row: AAP Alleges Fraud, Congress Flags 25 Dark Stations

AAP’s Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged on Monday, 9 November, that the Delhi government’s air quality figures are “fraud”, a day after Diwali. In posts on X and remarks to ANI, he said some parts of the city crossed an AQI of 3,000 on Diwali night while official data showed far lower readings. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera separately said PM2.5 data was missing at 25 of Delhi’s 39 monitoring stations between 2 am and 3 am, and the BJP blamed AAP for farm fires in Punjab, according to reports by India TV and The Daily Jagran.

What AAP and Congress Are Asking

Bhardwaj alleged that several monitoring stations were shut down, that 20 new stations were put up in “remote, lush green areas”, and that water was sprayed on monitors in polluted spots to pull readings down. He asked the government to publish the “true” AQI. He did not name the independent platforms whose readings he cited, and the reports carry no independent check of his claims.

Khera asked whether data was being suppressed, monitors switched off, or pollution had gone beyond what the equipment can measure. He said missing data does not mean the pollution has ended, and criticised weak enforcement of the Supreme Court’s firecracker curbs.

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Official Readings Stay Lower

The Central Pollution Control Board put Delhi’s AQI at about 370 on Monday morning, in the “very poor” category. Several stations were above 400, with Burari Crossing highest at 441, as IPB reported earlier today. The open-source platform AQI.in showed a far higher figure that morning, but it is not an official source. Neither report carried a response from the CPCB or the Delhi government to the data allegations.

BJP Points to Punjab Stubble Fires

Delhi minister Kapil Mishra alleged that AAP was responsible for stubble burning in Punjab and called for an investigation, citing high readings in Malout, Abohar and Sangrur. BJP leader Praveen Khandelwal called the fires a “well-thought-out conspiracy” by AAP. The reports carry no reply from AAP or the Punjab government.

Clean Air Demand Is Growing

The data dispute comes alongside Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s call for a Clean Air Act. More reports are collected under Delhi air pollution. The CPCB publishes daily station-wise bulletins, which would show whether the 25 stations Khera named did report PM2.5 data.

Source: Based on reporting by India TV and The Daily Jagran.

Image: PTI.