Delhi to Add 6 Air Quality Stations to CPCB Network Within a Week

Six new continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations in Delhi will be integrated into the Central Pollution Control Board network within a week, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Tuesday. The newly operational facilities are situated across the capital at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indira Gandhi National Open University, the ISRO Earth Station near Malcha Mahal in the Central Ridge, Delhi Cantonment, the Commonwealth Sports Complex, and the Netaji Subhash University of Technology West Campus.

The additions will expand Delhi's active monitoring infrastructure to 46 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations. Minister Sirsa stated that this tally of 46 stations represents the highest number of any city in India, aimed at strengthening the overall scope and accuracy of national Air Quality Index reporting.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee recently made the six stations operational, and their data is currently accessible live on the DPCC portal. However, because they have not yet been linked to the central CPCB network, Delhi's official Air Quality Index has continued to be calculated using data drawn from 40 stations.

The six new monitoring stations were first announced last year. While the expansion broadens monitoring coverage across the city, experts have alleged that because the new units are situated in relatively greener areas, their readings may influence and skew the city's overall average pollution levels.

According to officials, the six stations are currently undergoing close performance monitoring to ensure stability before they are fully integrated into the national network.