Delhi to add 6 advanced air monitoring stations amid rising scrutiny over pollution data

Delhi AQI

The Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government will set up six new advanced air quality monitoring stations across the city, with all units expected to be operational by January 15. The announcement comes at a time when Delhi’s air quality data is under sharp public and political scrutiny, especially over the reliability of existing monitoring systems.

The new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) will be installed at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the ISRO Earth Station near Malcha Mahal, Delhi Cantonment, the Commonwealth Sports Complex, and the Netaji Subhash University of Technology (West Campus).

These locations cover important institutional belts and densely populated neighbourhoods in South, Central and Southwest Delhi. Officials say this expansion will help plug existing data gaps and ensure reliable, city-wide air quality monitoring.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said each CAAQMS station will be equipped with high-end analysers capable of automatically and continuously monitoring major pollutants. These include PM2.5, PM10, sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO, NO₂, NOx), ammonia (NH₃), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃) and BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene).

Along with pollution data, the stations will also host a full meteorological system that measures wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, rainfall and solar radiation. This will help the government understand how pollutants move and disperse across the National Capital.

Real-time data from all six stations will be integrated with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The information will also be displayed on day–night visible public boards for citizens to track changing air quality.

“By expanding our high-quality monitoring network, Delhi is building a stronger safety net around the National Capital and moving towards cleaner air through evidence-based decisions," he was quoted by News18 as saying.

“The analysers and sensors will function round the clock, recording data at short intervals. This information will then be validated as per national and international protocols and used to generate daily, weekly and monthly reports,” the minister said. He added that transparent, real-time public information remains a core pillar of Delhi’s pollution management strategy.

The stations are being set up through the DPCC as part of a comprehensive project that covers supply, installation, commissioning and long-term maintenance. The selected partner will operate and maintain the stations for 10 years, ensuring at least 90% valid data uptime.

The responsibilities include 24×7 operation, routine and preventive maintenance, periodic calibration, security and continuous technical support. Strict penalties will be imposed for prolonged downtime or lapses.

Officials say these new stations are an important infrastructure upgrade that will support ongoing efforts around clean fuel promotion, transport reforms, waste management and industrial emissions control.