The Delhi government has received 48 entries for its Innovation Challenge aimed at improving the city's air quality, with the submission deadline now extended to November 15. Most proposals focus on air purification and reducing vehicular emissions. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa described the initiative as a collective mission for cleaner air.
The Delhi government's Innovation Challenge, launched to combat the capital's persistent air pollution, has garnered 48 entries from across India since its inception. The contest, hosted on the national innovation portal Manthan.GOV.IN, seeks affordable and implementable solutions to lower PM2.5 and PM10 levels. Of the submissions, 30 originate from Delhi-NCR, while 18 come from states such as Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa highlighted the enthusiastic response, stating, “This is not just a contest but a collective mission for India’s future.” He further emphasized the initiative's nationwide scope, noting that Delhi is “crowd-sourcing ideas nationwide to make clean air a shared responsibility.” The extension of the deadline from October 31 to November 15 aims to encourage broader participation from innovators.
Breakdown of entries shows 68% concentrating on air purification technologies, with the remaining 32% targeting vehicular emissions. The evaluation follows a structured three-stage process: initial digital screening by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), followed by expert review offering Rs 5 lakh support to shortlisted teams, and final validation by national laboratories. Winners stand to receive Rs 50 lakh in funding, and the top solutions will be implemented across Delhi.
The government has also demonstrated efficiency in handling public queries, resolving them within six hours of submission, reflecting a proactive stance on public engagement.