Delhi govt partners with IIT Madras to study air pollution reducing surfaces

The Delhi government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to conduct a six-month pilot study on photocatalytic “smog-eating” surfaces aimed at reducing air pollution in the capital.

The initiative will test whether materials using Titanium Dioxide or similar photocatalysts can lower pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds, major contributors to urban smog.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and officials from the environment department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. The project is being carried out under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Officials said the study will explore the application of photocatalytic materials on urban infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and other surfaces. These materials react under sunlight and can convert harmful pollutants into less dangerous compounds.

“Through this study with IIT Madras, we aim to identify practical ways to apply smog-eating coatings on roads, buildings, and other surfaces. If the research provides evidence that such materials can reduce pollutants like NO, it could support future interventions,” Sirsa said.

Researchers from IIT Madras will start with laboratory tests in a smog chamber to measure pollutant reduction under controlled conditions. This will be followed by field trials in Delhi on surfaces such as concrete roads, asphalt, glass, and metal panels.

The project will also assess Titanium Dioxide-based photocatalytic panels that could be installed on rooftops or mounted on street light poles to remove pollutants from surrounding air.

Professor Somnath C Roy, leading the study, said the research will combine lab testing with real-time field assessment to evaluate the effectiveness and durability of the materials in Delhi’s conditions.

Officials said the findings will guide future government decisions on deploying the technology, particularly during months when smog levels are at their peak.