Amid Rising Pollution in Delhi, a New Battle Over “Data” Erupts — A Cloud of Mistrust Settles Over the Capital
New Delhi : Delhi and the NCR region have long been grappling with severe air pollution, but this time the crisis has taken a different turn. The fight is no longer limited to reducing toxic smog—it has now shifted to questioning the accuracy of the very data that measures air quality. Serious doubts are being raised over the AQI figures released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The mistrust grew so deep that the Supreme Court had to intervene, asking the government to explain the methodology behind AQI measurement and its reliability.
During the hearing, amicus curiae Aparajita Singh presented several startling observations. She cited media reports alleging that the Delhi government has been regularly sprinkling water specifically at locations where air quality monitoring stations are situated—potentially lowering AQI readings artificially. There are also accusations that several monitoring centres are not functioning at all. Additionally, it is being alleged that the government excludes “peak hour” pollution data—the periods when air quality is at its worst—from the final average, thereby presenting a less alarming picture. This was evident the day after Diwali, when AQI data from private agencies depicted extremely hazardous levels, while government figures appeared relatively “better.”
When the focus shifts from controlling pollution to manipulating data, the real severity of the problem gets concealed, and efforts to address it become misguided. Clean air cannot be achieved by masking the truth. What Delhi needs most right now is transparency, scientific accuracy and a monitoring system people can trust.
In Delhi’s haze, it is no longer just pollution that clouds the air—data opacity has mixed into the smog too. Clearing this fog is the responsibility of the very institutions that the public relies upon.
