Govt. to offer50 lakh for innovation to curb air air pollution: Sirsa

The Delhi authorities has introduced an innovation problem providing money rewards of as much as ₹50 lakh to start-ups, researchers, and know-how builders who can devise “sensible and scalable” options to fight the Capital’s air air pollution drawback, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa mentioned on Friday.

Addressing a press convention, Mr. Sirsa mentioned the problem will give attention to two key areas – lowering automobile emissions  and capturing PM2.5 and PM10 particles from ambient air. “This yr, Delhi recorded the very best variety of clean-air days within the final decade. But we wish each day to be a clean-air day. Enforcement alone gained’t get us there; this can be a 24×7 innovation mission,” Mr. Sirsa mentioned.

According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi recorded its greatest common Air Quality Index (AQI) in eight years, barring the lockdown yr of 2020. The metropolis didn’t report a single ‘extreme’ (AQI above 400) day within the first 9 months of 2025. Under the brand new scheme, people, start-ups, analysis establishments, universities, and know-how builders with working prototypes prepared for discipline demonstration can apply till October 31. Shortlisted individuals will obtain ₹5 lakh every and free trial alternatives after the second stage. “Solutions that move validation by IITs and nationwide labs and meet our deployment requirements will likely be awarded ₹50 lakh and regarded for citywide implementation,” Mr. Sirsa mentioned.

Anti-smog initiative

Earlier within the day, Lieutenant Governor V.Okay. Saxena launched an automated anti-smog misting system in Dwarka. Installed alongside a 7-km stretch from Sector 10 to 21, the system makes use of 166 streetlight poles fitted with 30 misting nozzles every to scale back mud and effective pollution. “Every winter, Delhi faces extreme air air pollution. I enchantment to the folks to affix the federal government’s efforts. Even small actions can have a big effect on the town’s air high quality,” Mr. Saxena mentioned. 

Centre-State synergy

Meanwhile, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday directed businesses and State governments to accentuate on-ground measures to curb air air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

Chairing a high-level overview assembly on air high quality administration, he emphasised the necessity for sturdy coordination between Central and State authorities. Mr. Yadav additionally requested the CAQM to collaborate with the Delhi authorities for improved utilisation of development and demolition waste.

(With PTI inputs)