AAP alleges AQI monitoring irregularities says CAQM assured action on water sprinkling

    New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) The AAP on Wednesday alleged irregularities in Delhi's air quality monitoring system and said the CAQM has assured it of action over the reported sprinkling of water near monitoring stations.    

    A delegation led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj met Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) officials and raised concerns over reports of water being sprinkled near monitoring stations, alleged data blackouts and the location of some stations in green areas.

    Bharadwaj said the CAQM had termed water sprinkling near monitoring stations "wrong" and assured the party that the matter would be taken up with senior Delhi government officials.

    He said the commission has also assured that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) would replace certain monitoring equipment to prevent data blackouts and ensure accurate AQI readings.

    Bharadwaj said the party also raised concerns over monitoring stations failing to record higher pollution levels on Diwali night. He claimed that the CPCB acknowledged limitations in displaying readings beyond 999 and said that the equipment would be upgraded to address the issue.

    The AAP leader added that the CAQM has not given a specific timeline for action, but the party expected a response within a week. The delegation also sought an update on a complaint submitted on November 4, he said.

    AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar, who was part of the delegation, criticised the handling of pollution in the capital, claiming that several areas had recorded extremely high pollution levels after Diwali.

    He also expressed concern over the impact of poor air quality on people, particularly those suffering from respiratory ailments.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)