The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the BJP-led Delhi government of manipulating the city’s pollution data by placing air quality monitoring systems in predominantly green and less polluted areas. The allegations were made during a press conference held on Saturday by Saurabh Bharadwaj, the Delhi unit chief of AAP.
Speaking to the media, Bharadwaj claimed that the BJP, which had previously campaigned heavily on the issue of pollution before the February Assembly elections, was now engaging in what he described as a "huge fraud." He stated, "They have installed six Air Quality Monitoring Systems in forests and green areas so that the pollution figures can be reduced." Bharadwaj further asserted that this strategy was misleading the public and downplaying the true health risks posed by air pollution.
According to Bharadwaj’s statement, three of the new monitoring stations were proposed inside lush university campuses – namely Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in south Delhi, and Netaji Subhash University (West Campus) in west Delhi. Additionally, one station was planned deep within the Central Ridge at the ISRO Earth Station near Malcha Mahal. The remaining two would be located in comparatively greener sectors such as Delhi Cantonment and the Commonwealth Games Sports Complex in east Delhi.
Bharadwaj also alleged that air quality monitoring at areas recording high pollution levels was being either ignored or tampered with, resulting in an overall reported decline in pollution that might not reflect the on-ground reality.
Delhi’s air quality is a long-standing public health concern, especially during the winter months when it frequently deteriorates to 'very poor' or 'hazardous' levels. The issue of pollution had been a major point of debate during the recent Delhi Assembly elections in which the BJP secured a decisive victory, winning 48 out of 70 seats and ending the AAP’s decade-long control over the capital. The AAP, in contrast, won 22 seats.
At the time of reporting, the BJP had not issued any response to the accusations put forward by the AAP.
The India Today is reporting.
Source: Noah Wire Services