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New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Claiming year-on-year improvement in AQI in Delhi, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday termed as “misinformed and misleading” some media reports questioning the integrity of Delhi’s AQI data.
“Today Delhi’s AQI is 218, while last year on the same day it was 357. This shows that science-driven actions and enforcement are delivering measurable results,” he said.
Rejecting allegations of data manipulation, he said, “Let me make it clear – Delhi’s 40 automated air monitoring stations are tamper-proof and completely automated. The data cannot be changed by anyone.”
“The monitoring is done by DPCC, CPCB and IMD and the results are published simultaneously on multiple platforms. Prediction-based reporting around data manipulation is irresponsible and factually incorrect,” he said.
He claimed that a visible improvement in Delhi’s air quality has been recorded this year, while various public welfare activities have resumed in full swing.
“Under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi has shown that good governance and environmental responsibility can go together. Despite nearly 21 per cent increase in construction work, 8 per cent increase in new vehicle registrations, exemption for 10-15 year old vehicles and green Diwali celebrations, our air quality has improved,” Sirsa said.
“This is the result of consistent monitoring, strict enforcement and community participation, which together have kept pollution levels under control across the city,” the minister said.
He appreciated the efforts of field officers and enforcement teams for active coordination along with strong citizen action, which have significantly contributed to the AQI improvement.
“The people of Delhi deserve clean air. This improvement is just the beginning – we will maintain the momentum through science-backed and coordinated efforts of various agencies,” Sirsa said.
He also announced steps to further intensify the Winter Action Plan 2025 with special focus on 13 identified hotspots.
Sirsa chaired a high-level review meeting with all key stakeholder enforcement agencies including Environment Department, DPCC, MCD, NDMC, DSIIDC, DDA, Transport Department and Traffic Police to ensure seamless implementation of pollution mitigation efforts across Delhi.
During the review, they examined the status of all 13 identified pollution hotspots – each targeted through tailored interventions based on major sources such as dust from unpaved roads, construction and demolition (C&D) activity, open dumping and open burning of garbage.
“Our entire government machinery – MCD, DDA, NDMC, DSIDC and others – is working in perfect coordination,” Sirsa said.
To control dust pollution, mechanical road sweeping has covered about 3,000 kilometers of city roads daily, while 280 water sprinklers and 390 fixed and mobile anti-smog guns are working continuously, including on 91 high-rise buildings.
The Minister also reviewed C&D waste management, directed MCD and DSIIDC to ensure that all 500 C&D waste sites are regularly inspected and pollution control norms are strictly complied with.
–IANS
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