Delhi Launches Rs 50 Lakh Innovation Challenge to Combat Air Pollution with Affordable Technologies

Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized that Delhi's ambition is "every day to be a clean-air day."

New Delhi:

The Delhi government has launched an innovative approach to combat air pollution. On Friday, they announced a groundbreaking Innovation Challenge offering substantial cash rewards up to Rs 50 lakh for researchers and innovators who can develop affordable technologies to reduce particulate pollution from roads, vehicles, and construction sites.

Under the leadership of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), this citywide initiative seeks deployable, cost-effective solutions ranging from dust-capturing road treatments to exhaust filtration systems that can function effectively despite Delhi's challenging weather conditions.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that Delhi is "throwing open its doors to anything that works on the ground."

"We're looking for practical solutions that function on roads or at construction and industrial sites. If it significantly reduces PM2.5 or PM10, is easy to implement, and remains affordable, we will support it," he declared.

The competition features a comprehensive three-stage evaluation process: initial screening conducted by the DPCC, expert field or laboratory trials, and final validation by prestigious national institutions such as the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

Projects that successfully advance past the second evaluation stage will receive Rs 5 lakh, while those ultimately recommended to the Delhi government following final testing will be awarded Rs 50 lakh each.

Sirsa highlighted that Delhi has experienced "the highest number of clean-air days in a decade," but emphasized that the city's ultimate goal is for "every day to be a clean-air day."

"Enforcement measures alone cannot achieve our objectives. This represents a continuous innovation mission," he added.

Applications are welcome from individuals, startups, IITs, research institutes, and companies throughout India until October 31, 2025, via www.dpcc.delhigovt.nic.in

"If a solution can effectively reduce particulate matter, align with Delhi's budget, and be implemented easily, we'll transition it from trial phase to citywide implementation. This approach transforms prototypes into public benefits quickly, delivering relief where people need it most," Sirsa explained.