Delhi Air Quality Monitoring System Fails During Critical Pollution Crisis

Delhi experienced a critical air quality emergency as thick smog engulfed the metropolis, yet official air quality monitoring systems mysteriously ceased functioning midday, leaving residents without crucial pollution data.

This disruption occurred just one day after major demonstrations swept through the capital, with protesters alleging that authorities were manipulating pollution statistics and undermining public confidence in the Delhi administration. By Monday afternoon, Air Quality Index (AQI) measurements completely stopped despite visibly hazardous conditions and dangerously reduced visibility on roadways.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) published a final AQI reading of 345 at 12:15 pm through its Sameer application and official web portal before all updates discontinued. Officials claimed a technical malfunction was responsible and assured the public that service would resume later that day.

In light of the worsening situation, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) subcommittee for an emergency assessment, emphasizing their continued monitoring of the deteriorating air conditions.

The previous day had recorded the season's most severe pollution, with AQI reaching 391 by 10 am. Despite Monday's evident worsening conditions, including severely restricted visibility causing traffic congestion on major highways like NH-9 near Ghaziabad, no additional data was released to guide residents or trigger enhanced pollution control measures.

This event follows similar monitoring failures earlier in the season. On October 26, AQI updates were unavailable for approximately 11 hours from midday until late evening, and the CPCB's standard 4 pm national bulletin was delayed until 10:45 pm. Another 12-hour data gap occurred the next day, with officials claiming full restoration by October 27.

The CAQM conducted a thorough evaluation on Sunday afternoon but decided against implementing GRAP Stage 3 restrictions for the National Capital Region (NCR), citing a downward trend in 24-hour averages and no forecasts of severe conditions. Currently, only Stages 1 and 2 of the emergency protocol remain in effect.