Recently, the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provided valuable insights into the projects related to deploying various technologies to address Air Pollution in India during a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Air Pollution

• Air pollution refers to the contamination of the Earth''s atmosphereby harmful substances beyond their natural levels, due to human activities and natural processes.
  • It originates from sources like industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, agricultural practices, and natural events,and it can have wide-ranging negative effects on air quality, human well-being, ecosystems, and the overall health of the planet.
• Common air pollutants include: PM2.5, PM10, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Nitric Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO) etc.

Technology Based Projects Deployed to Curb Air Pollution

• Pariyayantra Filtration Units on Buses:A pilot study was initiated where 30 buses were retrofitted with Pariyayantra Filtration units installed on their rooftops.
  • These units were designed to effectively capture dust particles (through filters fitted on vehicles) from the surrounding environment,thereby minimizing the contribution of vehicular movement to air pollution levels.
  • It does not require any power to operateand is equivalent to the filtration provided by 6 room air filters.
• WAYU Air Purification Units at Traffic Intersections: A total of 54 WAYU Air Purification Unitswere strategically installed at major traffic intersections in Delhi.
  • These units, designed to purify the air in the immediate vicinity, played a crucial role in reducing the impact of vehicular emissions on air quality.
  • The WAYU units acted as localized air purifiers, offering a potential solution to combat the adverse effects of traffic-related pollution.
• Ionisation Technology for Ambient Air Pollution Reduction:This technology aimed to neutralize pollutants through ionization processes, thereby enhancing air quality in the target areas.
  • The study evaluated the feasibility and impact of ionization technology,potentially opening new avenues for pollution reduction.
• Installation of Medium/Large-Scale Smog Towers:These towers, acting as substantial air purifiers, targeted the reduction of particulate matter and pollutants on a broader scale.
• Retrofitting Emission Control Devices in In-Use Vehicles:Older vehicles, especially those adhering to older emission standards like BS III, contribute substantially to air pollution.
  • A pilot project was undertaken to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of retrofitting emission control devicesin such vehicles.
    • The project aimed to provide recommendations for emission reduction from these vehicles, aligning with broader efforts to improve air quality.
  • Indigenous Photonic System for Air Quality Monitoring:A project by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) focused on developing an indigenous photonic system for real-time remote monitoring of air quality parameters.
    • This initiative aimed toenhance the accuracy and accessibility of air quality data, enabling more informed decision-making in pollution management strategies.
  • Advancements in Electric Vehicle (EV) Autonomous Technology:An autonomous navigation foundation focused on EV-based autonomous vehicles was established under the DST National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
    • The integration of autonomous technology in EVs presents an opportunity to optimize driving patterns, reduce traffic congestion, and subsequently lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Other Government Initiatives to Curb Air Pollution

• Graded Response Action Plan (Delhi)
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
• BS-VI vehicles
• Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)
• Dashboard for Monitoring Air Quality
• National Air Quality Index (AQI)