CREA’s analysis showed that Delhi’s average pollution level on Diwali could have been 49% higher than it actually was due to missing PM2.5 data.
Published: November 12, 2026, 9:15 AM IST
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If data hadn’t disappeared, Delhi’s pollution levels would have been 49% higher this Diwali, CREA report reveals (PTI)
CREA’s analysis showed that Delhi’s average pollution level on Diwali could have been 49% higher than it actually was due to missing PM2.5 dataA recent analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has revealed a startling findingAccording to CREA, the city’s average pollution levels could have been up to 49 percent higher on Diwali day due to missing PM2.5 data from several monitoring stationsIf these missing readings had been recorded at 1000 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), Delhi’s average PM2.5 level would have increased from 269 to 400 micrograms per cubic metre.
System set to measure PM up to 1000 micrograms: CPCB
The national daily standard for PM2.5 is 60 micrograms per cubic metre, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) safe limit is just 15 microgramsThis analysis comes a day after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said that the systems at its stations were set to measure particulate matter only up to 1000 microgramsTherefore, they failed to show higher readings for several hours on Diwali nightThe board also stated that these higher readings were not included in the average AQIMeanwhile, CREA says that if the 400 microgram level was also included, the city’s AQI on Monday would have increased from 344 (very poor) to close to the severe category.
Read more:
Delhi air pollution: AQI crosses 300 again, no rain in sight; Will cloud seeding bring relief?
How is AQI calculated?
The AQI is calculated based on eight pollutants, including PM2.5Pollution peaked on Diwali night, with particulate matter levels exceeding 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter at several monitoring stationsFollowing this, the CPCB stopped providing this data for several hours.
