New Delhi, Oct 31 (NationPress) Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa asserted on Friday that there has been a significant year-on-year enhancement in Delhi's air quality index (AQI). He labeled certain media reports questioning the credibility of Delhi’s AQI data as “misinformed and misleading.”

“Currently, Delhi's AQI is at 218, a substantial reduction from 357 on the same date last year. This indicates that our science-driven initiatives and enforcement measures are yielding tangible results,” he stated.

Sirsa firmly rejected the allegations of data manipulation, emphasizing, “Let me clarify — the 40 automatic air monitoring stations in Delhi are tamper-proof and fully automated. No one can alter the data.”

He added, “Monitoring is carried out by the DPCC, CPCB, and IMD, with results published across multiple platforms simultaneously. Speculation regarding data manipulation is both irresponsible and factually incorrect.”

Sirsa noted that this year's air quality has visibly improved, despite a return to various public activities. “Under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, we have demonstrated that effective governance and environmental consciousness can coexist. Even with a 21% surge in construction work and an 8% rise in new vehicle registrations, our air quality continues to improve,” he remarked.

He attributed this progress to diligent monitoring, strict enforcement, and community engagement that collectively kept pollution levels manageable throughout the city. “The people of Delhi deserve cleaner air. This improvement is only the beginning — we will sustain this momentum through coordinated, science-backed efforts,” he asserted.

Additionally, he announced plans to enhance the winter action plan for 2025, focusing on 13 identified pollution hotspots. Sirsa chaired a high-level review meeting with key enforcement agencies, including the Environment Department, DPCC, MCD, NDMC, DSIIDC, DDA, Transport Department, and Traffic Police, to ensure effective pollution control measures are executed throughout Delhi.

During this review, he examined the status of all 13 pollution hotspots, which are targeted with specific interventions based on major pollution sources such as dust from unpaved roads, construction and demolition activities, open dumping, and the open burning of waste.

Sirsa stated, “Our entire governmental apparatus — MCD, DDA, NDMC, DSIDC, and others — is functioning in complete coordination.”

To tackle dust pollution, mechanical road sweeping has been conducted over nearly 3,000 km of city roads daily, with 280 water sprinklers and 390 fixed and mobile anti-smog guns continuously operational, including at 91 high-rise buildings.

The Minister also evaluated the management of construction and demolition waste, directing MCD and DSIIDC to ensure regular inspections of all 500 C&D waste sites to enforce strict adherence to pollution control regulations.