📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Priyashabhardwaj
Politics
AAP Delhi chief accuses govt of AQI data tampering, says stations shut on Diwali night
✍️ Amar Ujala · Delhi
🗓 11 Nov 2026, 06:30 PM
👁 19
AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged that the Delhi government manipulated Air Quality Index data and disabled monitoring stations on the night of Diwali.
On Wednesday, Saurabh Bhardwaj, president of the Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi unit, publicly accused the Delhi government of manipulating the Air Quality Index (AQI) figures. He claimed that the alleged tampering coincided with the night of Diwali, a period when air pollution typically spikes.
According to Bhardwaj, several AQI monitoring stations across the capital were switched off on the festive night, preventing accurate measurement of pollutant levels. He said the move was intended to present a more favorable picture of the city's air quality.
The Delhi government has not yet responded to the allegations. Environmental experts have previously warned that Diwali fireworks contribute significantly to short‑term spikes in particulate matter, making reliable monitoring crucial.
The AAP's accusation comes ahead of upcoming discussions on pollution control measures in the national capital. If proven, the alleged data manipulation could raise questions about transparency in the government's environmental reporting.
According to Bhardwaj, several AQI monitoring stations across the capital were switched off on the festive night, preventing accurate measurement of pollutant levels. He said the move was intended to present a more favorable picture of the city's air quality.
The Delhi government has not yet responded to the allegations. Environmental experts have previously warned that Diwali fireworks contribute significantly to short‑term spikes in particulate matter, making reliable monitoring crucial.
The AAP's accusation comes ahead of upcoming discussions on pollution control measures in the national capital. If proven, the alleged data manipulation could raise questions about transparency in the government's environmental reporting.