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Delhi Air Monitors Under Scrutiny by Supreme Court
24 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Supreme Court questions Delhi's air quality monitoring equipment's suitability.
- Delhi relies on 40 stations tracking eight key pollutants.
- Accuracy issues stem from humidity, calibration, and data gaps.
Delhi's air quality monitoring system, comprising 40 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), is under review by the Supreme Court. These stations are designed to track eight key pollutants, including PM2.5 and PM10, adhering to 2012 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines.
However, the accuracy of these readings faces challenges. High humidity can lead to overestimation of particulate matter, while instruments require frequent calibration to prevent drift. Inadequate data recording, power fluctuations, and equipment failures also compromise the reliability of the daily Air Quality Index (AQI).
Recent reports and studies indicate significant issues, such as stations failing to measure all required pollutants like lead and insufficient valid data generation. The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the urgency to ensure Delhi's air quality monitoring is robust and accurate for public health.
