A viral video this weekend has thrown Delhi’s air pollution debate into a new storm, allegedly revealing Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) water tankers spraying mist directly around the Anand Vihar air pollution monitoring station—a move that activists and opposition leaders claim is meant to artificially lower recorded AQI levels in one of the city’s most polluted zones. The timing was especially controversial, as it coincided with a sharp spike in air pollution across the capital post-Diwali, with Anand Vihar already topping the charts as a “severe” hotspot on official CPCB readings.
Political Charges and the Battle Over Air Data
AAP President Saurabh Bharadwaj led the charge, sharing the video and accusing the BJP-led MCD and Delhi government of “deliberate data management, not pollution control.” Bharadwaj claimed water was being sprayed “day and night” at the station specifically to make local AQI readings appear lower than they really are—a “massive pollution data fraud” in his words. Other AAP leaders went further, suggesting this approach masked the city’s true air quality, misled people about health risks, and wasted public resources.
BJP and senior government officials dismissed the charge as “foolish” and insisted water sprinkling was a routine dust control measure under the city’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and not targeted manipulation.
MCD Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh responded that water sprinklers “are working everywhere and not from now but since last month… we cannot stop our work to mitigate pollution even if Saurabh Bharadwaj says so.” As the controversy spread, the public saw sharply divided opinions—some hailing whistle-blowers, others lamenting a “political circus” amid genuine concerns.
🚨Can you IMAGINE?
— Mohit Chauhan (@mohitlaws) October 25, 2025
BJP's Delhi government is sprinkling water right next to the govt pollution monitoring station so that the readings don't rise.
No proper monitoring, no pollution-problem solved. pic.twitter.com/fzrmHXVzV6
How Water Sprinkling Can Distort AQI Data
Experts weighed in quickly. While water sprinkling is a legitimate tactic to suppress road dust and particulate pollution across Delhi (used under GRAP every smog season), spraying it directly near AQI monitors—especially sensors measuring PM10—can temporarily reduce dust readings, making the air appear cleaner for the moment. Data from Anand Vihar monitoring station on Saturday showed PM10 levels plunging from 736 µg/m³ at 11am to just 221 µg/m³ by 1pm (while PM2.5 dropped similarly), only to rebound sharply after the water spraying stopped—a pattern far steeper than seen at other locations, suggesting a “localised manipulation” rather than genuine city-wide improvement.
Air quality analysts from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said these “rainfall effects” around a sensor can mask actual pollution loads, misleading policymakers and the public about the real extent of the crisis. CPCB guidelines mandate station placement away from unpaved roads, heavy traffic, and direct pollution sources, precisely to prevent such distortions.
The Broader Reality: Delhi Still Choking
Behind the video and the blame game, Delhi’s air remains deeply hazardous. This week, AQI readings across the city veered from “poor” to “very poor,” with Anand Vihar persistently “severe.” Doctors continued to warn about acute respiratory distress, especially among children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions. Road dust, vehicle emissions, crop residue burning, and industrial waste still form the backbone of Delhi’s pollution challenge, despite GRAP, increased mechanical sweeping, stricter traffic controls, and routine bans.
A recent research study recommended shifting policy toward long-term solutions: cleaner fuels, more public transport, open data sharing, and continuous community engagement, recognizing that emergency fixes alone—including sprinkler trucks—cannot resolve the complex, multi-source origins of Delhi’s pollution.
Read this: Delhi Government to Fund 5,000 Startups? Check Out Draft Startup Policy 2025
Conclusion: Data Integrity as Public Health
As the crisp winter air pushes pollution risk higher, the Anand Vihar episode highlights a crucial truth: data integrity is as important as policy action. Manipulating figures—intentionally or not—can endanger public trust, distort risk management, and expose millions to unseen dangers.
