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7 Projects that are expected to find solutions for Delhi-NCR’s Air Pollution

Toxic Air in the national capital has dented the livelihood of its citizens in more ways than one. Delhi Pollution not only poses long-lasting threats to the general health of the public but has also highlighted the need for strict measures to limit environmental degradation.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has resolved to integrate the technical/ academic expertise of the reputed scientific institutions across the country that are working in the field of air pollution.

With an objective to create a joint and augmented approach towards prevention, control and abatement of the menace of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, CAQM, after detailed technical and financial evaluation and appraisal, has approved the following seven proposals;

Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) tool for vehicle Counting:

The Commission has approved this AI/ML-based technology by CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur which will count vehicles by uploading the CCTV footage on a Cloud Platform.

The tool will help in preparing the air pollution emission inventory with the help of vehicle count for urban centres. The different range of traffic density will be used for training AI Tools for vehicle counting. The tool will upload 24 hours of CCTV Footage of different road sections.

Science & Technology (S&T) based Action Plans for Air Quality Improvement:

 CSIR-NEERI and CSIR – Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) Delhi will address Vehicular Traffic Induced Road Dust Re-suspension with S&T-based Action Plans.

The objective of the proposed study is to improve the Air quality of Delhi NCR by addressing vehicular-induced road dust with scientific and technological based action plans.

Autonomous Drone Swarm Framework for Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring and Pollutant Quantification in NCR hotspots:

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab is working to develop an AI-based technique for flying drones in a specified trajectory with minimal human intervention for real-time air quality monitoring specifically for the pollutants, namely, SO2, NO2, PM 2.5 and PM10.

The data generated under this project will be useful to provide information about the exact pollutant concentration on the ground, as well as spatial, temporal, altitudinal and seasonal variation of pollutant concentration at particular areas/locations in Delhi NCR. The project will enable the prediction of air quality scenarios which help in the optimization of a control strategy.

Decision Support System (DSS):

IITM, Pune is conducting a study to ensure Air Quality Management in Delhi and its bordering districts in the National Capital Region.

The study aims to provide quantification of the local, regional, and distant emission sources and provide possible emission reduction strategies to avoid forthcoming air pollution events in Delhi and the eight bordering districts, namely Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Jhajjar, Sonipat, Baghpat, and Rohtak, on a daily basis.

Ambient Air Purification System (APS) in a Market Place:

SASTRA University, Thanjavur has taken up a project to carry out a trial of deploying the novel Air Purification System (APS) at a marketplace in Delhi/NCR.

The project aims to reduce harmful exposure to people and to reduce AQI by at least 25 to 50% in the target area with its filter-less technology based on Aerodynamics having no Ionization, high voltages or consumable and suitable for hotspots and exposure reduction. The technology is capable of distributed deployment with no adverse impact on Urban Aesthetics.

Under-actuated Filterless Air Cleaner Retrofit for Rolling Stock and Vehicles:

IIT Delhi and Swachh.io have presented a proposal that intends to demonstrate Filterless Air Cleaner by retrofitting in buses.

The technology would use Buses’ aerodynamics to clean air using filterless separators (horizontal cyclones).  It has low operating costs with the provision of standalone solar power for stationary operation.

Evaluation of Retro-fitment of 2-Wheeler & 3-Wheeler Auto-rickshaws with Electric Drive:

Considering this as a plausible option for improvement in the air quality of NCR, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune has arranged a proposal that includes prototype development on various mounting on vehicles including system level trials and testing.

The proposal states that two and three-wheelers will be retrofitted by mechanical and electrical integration of the retrofit kit. These retrofitted vehicles will be deployed for usage wherein run-time data will be collected.

When successful, the study will generate evidence based on a thorough scientific evaluation of retro fitment of two/three wheelers.

The Projects are expected to bolster the Commission’s fight against the air pollution menace of Delhi-NCR by developing better capabilities for air quality monitoring and demonstrating field implementable solutions/ technologies with the help of pioneer S&T institutions.

In addition to this, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change informs that specific time limits along with budgetary allocations have also been set for each of the projects as they proceed to identify and find resolution of problems surrounding the air quality of NCR.

 

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