Pristine or Polluted: JKPCC challenges Srinagar air quality alarm

Srinagar, Jan 17: J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) has dismissed media reports regarding Srinagar’s air quality, stating that the particulate matter levels remain well within limits.

The committee has urged the public to refer to the official website of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for city and station-specific air quality data, calculated using “well-calibrated, reliable equipment”.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, JKPCC Chairperson, Vasu Yadav, said the pollution data that was being quoted in media reports raising concerns about Srinagar air quality was sourced from “unreliable third-party automatic sensors”.

“Most websites pool data from unverified and non-calibrated sources,” he said. “Some even use satellite data, which could be erroneous.”

Yadav said the CPCB provides the most accurate readings based on scientific methods.

“CPCB allows integration of the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS),” he said.

Referring to Srinagar air quality, Yadav said, the data from manual stations also match the CAAQMS trends.

He said standardised scientific protocols to ensure accuracy and protect public health were being used to carry out air quality measurements.

Srinagar has one of the best air qualities as per the official data, making it a popular destination for tourism and a safe place for residents.

Throughout January, the air quality has been in the moderate to good range.

In northern India, which is under the winter spell, air quality has been a public health risk in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Shimla, and Manali.

Over the past week, the websites and mobile applications have mostly shown moderately polluted air quality of Srinagar.

On Saturday, some websites gave a reading of 157 for Srinagar's air quality.

However, the CPCB website showed Srinagar air quality at Raj Bagh station as 34, while at Khanmoh, it was 97.

The unreliable readings and widespread misgivings are being fueled by automatic equipment that lacks proper calibration and validation.

Over December, Srinagar's air quality had deteriorated significantly.

Reading from across the websites, as well as the CPCB website, showed that Srinagar had dangerous levels of PM2.5 and PM10.

The issue was exacerbated by cold weather, long dry spells, and temperature inversions.

However, the rainfall and snowfall over the beginning of 2026 turned the air clean again.

Experts said while it may look foggy, the air was not laden with particulate matter in the manner it was a few weeks ago.

Air quality is calculated by measuring a number of parameters, including PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2.

Air quality is not constant and fluctuates constantly due to temperature, weather, precipitation, traffic, and other emission sources.