The air of Delhi will change! Under the government’s innovation challenge, 22 new machines will attack pollution, a big trial is going to start.

The Innovation Challenge started by the Delhi government to tackle air pollution has now reached the next phase. The 22 devices selected under this initiative are now being prepared for on-ground trials in different parts of the city. These devices will be installed at identified pollution hotspots in the coming weeks. This will then be scientifically assessed to assess how effective these technologies are in reducing particulate matter (PM) and other critical air quality parameters.

A review meeting was organized regarding the next phase of Delhi Government’s Innovation Challenge. The meeting was chaired by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in which a detailed assessment of the preparations made over the last several weeks was taken. Important issues like finalization of testing protocols, availability and technical preparation of selected devices, and coordination with innovators for their deployment in the city were discussed in the meeting. Officials said that all these aspects have been decided so that the trial process can be completed in a scientific and transparent manner.

Minister Sirsa gave instructions to the officials

During the review meeting, the Environment Minister gave clear instructions to the officials that the trials of these devices should be conducted in a scientifically sound, transparent and reliable manner. He said that the testing process should be such that a quick and accurate decision can be taken as to what is the most effective technical solution to tackle air pollution for the national capital. Minister Sirsa also emphasized that during the trial, all the parameters like reduction in particulate matter (PM), effectiveness and practicality of the technology should be objectively evaluated, so that in future, concrete steps can be taken towards reducing pollution in Delhi by implementing successful technologies on a larger scale.

Total 284 entries in Novation Challenge

A total of 284 entries were received from across the country in the Delhi Government’s Innovation Challenge. Of these, 22 devices have been selected for the trial-run phase after detailed screening conducted by a technical committee of experts. Of these, there are 13 solutions that focus on controlling pollution caused by vehicles. These technologies include vehicle-mounted air purifiers, retrofit emission-control systems, bio-alkaline exhaust scrubbers and various retrofit technologies for buses, trucks and gensets.

9 devices designed for ambient air

Of the 22 solutions selected in the Delhi Government’s Innovation Challenge, the remaining 9 devices are designed to clean ambient air. These technologies include modular and static air purification systems, dust suppression units, smog-control technology and many other solutions. These devices have been specifically developed for use in areas such as open spaces, road corridors, industrial areas and construction zones, where dust and pollution levels are typically high.

Minister praised the committee and innovators

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa praised the sustained efforts made by the committee and innovators in recent weeks on the next phase of Delhi Government’s Innovation Challenge. He said that the expert committee has held detailed discussions to prepare and improve the testing protocol. Also, the readiness of each device has been assessed by maintaining close communication with the innovators. The committee has also identified the requirements necessary for the installation of static and vehicle-based systems. Apart from this, potential locations for installation of static devices are being identified and draft guidelines for a structured trial-run with monitoring, data collection and performance review are also being prepared.

Minister Sirsa said, “This Innovation Challenge is a mission to find real and measurable solutions that reduce pollution on the ground. When these 22 devices are deployed for trials in the most affected areas of Delhi, we will have only one standard for proof. That is, which technology shows a clear and consistent reduction in pollution and which can be rapidly implemented on a large scale.”

Work on many fronts to control pollution

The Environment Minister said that the Delhi government is working simultaneously on many fronts to strictly control air pollution. This includes strengthening pollution monitoring, ensuring strict compliance with existing rules as well as encouraging new technologies through Innovation Challenges. He said, “We want Delhi to become a model where strict enforcement and innovative solutions go hand in hand. As soon as the best technologies are identified through these trials, we will move quickly towards implementing them on a large scale.”

Keep an eye on performance data

As the trial phase begins, the Environment Department of Delhi Government and Delhi Pollution Control Committee will keep a close watch on the performance data received from all the devices. During this period, review meetings will also be organized at the ministerial level from time to time, so that the progress and results of the trial can be evaluated. The results obtained from these trials will play an important role in selecting the final winning solution. It will also be decided how successful technologies will be included in Delhi’s comprehensive clean-air strategy and what will be the roadmap to implement them on a large scale.

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