Delhi's Air Quality Controversy: Allegations of Data Manipulation Unveiled

AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj accuses BJP-led Delhi government of manipulating air quality data, while Delhi launches an initiative to curb pollution through CSR. Amid worsening pollution levels, changes to the GRAP measures have been announced, with partial remote work for government offices and distribution of electric heaters.

The Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi president, Saurabh Bharadwaj, launched serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led administration regarding air quality data manipulation in the national capital. Bharadwaj claimed that there is a "huge fraud" affecting real pollution measurements and criticized the inadequate implementation of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP), allowing pollution to worsen.

According to Bharadwaj, following the implementation of GRAP, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established by the Supreme Court to handle rising pollution with an independent approach. However, discrepancies were highlighted by Bharadwaj, citing examples of misleading air quality index data, claiming it reflected lower figures than the actual pollution levels. The CAQM has revised its action plans and ratified severe category measures for NCR under GRAP Stage III.

In response, Delhi's government, under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has introduced initiatives to battle pollution, focusing on reducing winter coal and wood burning. Over 10,000 electric heaters will be distributed to Resident Welfare Associations as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility endeavor. GRAP Stage III measures, addressing construction and vehicular restrictions, were implemented on November 11, despite no significant improvement in air quality indexes.

(With inputs from agencies.)