Delhi CM inspects air pollution mitigation devices installed under 'Innovation Challenge'

Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa showcased newly installed air pollution mitigation devices, including pole-mounted dust catchers and central verge air purifiers, during an inspection with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inspected some of the newly installed air pollution mitigation devices in parts of the city under the government's 'Innovation Challenge'.

Gupta, along with Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, inspected pole-mounted dust catchers installed near the Kirti Nagar industrial area and central verge air purifiers set up at the Kirti Nagar fire station.

Last year in October, Sirsa launched the challenge for pollution reduction solutions, inviting individuals, startups, and research institutions to submit ideas aimed at reducing particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) emissions.

During the inspection, Sirsa explained that dust keeps getting collected in the device, and after about 15-20 days, the backend technology alerts authorities once the units are full.

''The device can collect dust from a radius of 400 square metres,'' he said.

Explaining to Gupta, Sirsa further pointed out that the device would be enclosed within an iron frame for protection.

The devices inspected on Saturday are among the 22 shortlisted innovations currently undergoing trials in the next phase of the government's innovation challenge to assess their effectiveness.

''Around 15-16 such pilot projects have been installed in parts of Delhi. Our aim is that if we find any such innovations and technology that can help clean Delhi's air, then we will keep working on them,'' Sirsa said.

He added that technologies found effective by IIT's and other laboratories would be approved for wider installation across Delhi in the coming days.