How Agra managed to ‘improve’ air quality data, but not pollution

Agra’s Municipal Corporation is under scrutiny following revelations of actions that potentially manipulated air quality data. A viral video circulating on social media shows water sprinklers installed on the roof of the Municipal Corporation building, directly targeting the city’s primary automatic air quality monitoring station.
While this setup reportedly reduced the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings, it did not necessarily lower the actual air pollution in the area.
This monitoring station, Agra’s first, has been in operation for several years, consistently tracking air pollution data. According to sources, water sprinklers have been installed at the station over the past five days. Videos capturing these unusual efforts quickly gained attention online.

Upon receiving complaints, the Agra branch of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) dispatched a team to inspect the site.
During the inspection, it was discovered that the sprinklers were positioned to spray in the southwest direction, while prevailing winds were blowing from the northwest to the southeast. This setup likely influenced the AQI readings recorded by the station, potentially giving an impression of improved air quality.
UPPCB’s Regional Officer Dr Vishwanath Sharma confirmed that the sprinklers were indeed placed by the Municipal Corporation’s environmental team. After the inspection, Sharma immediately ordered their removal to ensure accurate data collection.
The incident has raised concerns, given the strategic importance of Agra’s air quality monitoring efforts due to the proximity of the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site particularly vulnerable to pollution. Agra’s Municipal Corporation manages five additional air quality monitoring stations across the city, located in Awas Vikas Colony, Shastripuram, Manoharpur, Shahjahan Park, and Rohta. Data from these stations are used to create a composite measure of the city’s air pollution.
AQI data from the UPPCB indicates fluctuations in pollution levels throughout November, with recent measurements showing AQI at 138 on November 12, and other levels as follows: 127 on November 11, 81 on November 9, and 123 on November 8. These figures help track the city’s air quality trends and influence policy decisions.
Data from the UPPCB shows 337 “good days” and 19 “bad days” in 2023, while as of September 2024, there were 254 good days and only 3 bad days recorded.
Commenting on the situation, Dr. Sharma stated, “The automatic air quality monitoring station on the Municipal Corporation building had sprinklers spraying water. Orders have been issued for their removal.