In a bid to tackle one of the worst sources of air pollution, Delhi has begun testing retrofitting devices that promise to cut harmful emissions from heavy commercial vehicles by more than 70 per cent.
The pilot project, led by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, will see 30 catalyic converter-based devices installed on older BS-III and BS-IV trucks and buses.
These devices, fitted next to the exhaust, are designed to trap and neutralise pollutants like particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called it a "decisive leap towards tech-driven pollution control." Not only is this a first-of-its-kind effort in India but also a solution that can be replicated in other cities and sectors where fossil fuel engines are a major source of pollution."
The move comes as Delhi tightens restrictions on older, more polluting vehicles in line with the Commission for Air Quality Management's directives. But rather than just banning them, the government is testing if technology can give these vehicles a second, cleaner life.
The push to clean up truck fumes also comes amid relief for old cars from the Supreme Court. On Tuesday, the court said no coercive action will be taken against those who own diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. Mr Sirsa said the end-of-life vehicles must not be categorised based on the years of use, but rather the distance traveled, and pollution should be considered as a viable factor.ssure tests and have clocked over 9,000 km in field trials. The pilot will focus on government and autonomous body vehicles meeting BS-IV or earlier norms, with testing done in collaboration with IIT Delhi or ICAT.
Sirsa said the project reflects a shift towards permanent solutions rather than short-term fixes. "This pilot is a trial and a statement of our vision, to deploy innovative solutions that clean Delhi's air while keeping essential transport running," he said.
If the results match the lab tests, the retrofit technology could be rolled out across Delhi's heavy vehicle fleet, a step that might significantly cut the toxic exhaust clouding the city's air each winter.
For now, all eyes will be on these 30 trial vehicles. If they can drive cleaner without losing performance, Delhi could have found a way to fight air pollution without sidelining livelihoods.
"Send A Few Behind Bars": Supreme Court On Farmers Burning Stubble
Reported by Nupur Dogra, Edited by Saikat Kumar BoseWhy Your Diet Matters More Than Your Next Facial? Here Is What Nutrionist Has To Say
Written by NDTV Health DeskDelhi To Have 10 "Namo Van" To Boost Green Cover, Combat Pollution: Rekha Gupta
Press Trust of India"Send A Few Behind Bars": Supreme Court On Farmers Burning Stubble
Nutritionist Lovneet Batra shared an Instagram post to explain why focusing only on facials would not solve deeper skin issues.
Delhi government will develop 10 "Namo Van" across the city to enhance green cover and combat air pollution, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Monday.
With Delhi's dreaded smog season just weeks away, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday reviewed the city's 17-point Winter 2025 Air Pollution Control Action Plan, directing departments to complete preparations by October.
Study attributed 72-92% of mercury emissions to human activities, primarily from fossil fuel combustion, industrial activities & vehicular emissions.
................................ Advertisement ................................
Opinion | Why Indians Have Just Given Up On Air Pollution CrisisTanushree Ganguly
Friday December 20, 2024While some may argue that people in Delhi are now more aware of air pollution than they were a decade back, my rebuttal would be that awareness does not mean that people are concerned.
Opinion | You Must Outrage Over Filthy Air More Than Once A YearJyoti Pande Lavakare
Tuesday December 10, 2024Delhi welcomed us with monsoon rains and mangos. We were home. Fast forward a couple of years, in the winter of 2012, I found myself in denial about something other parents, mostly expats, were calling toxic air.
Opinion | Delhi's Air Pollution Situation Is Like A Bad MarriageNishtha Gautam
Friday November 22, 2024On a good day, such as today, the AQI reading in Delhi is 407. We are jubilant at the sickly sunshine trickling through the slightly dissipated smog. At least its not 1600.
दिवाली... पराली... सियासी जुगाली!Ashwini kumar
Monday November 18, 2024दिल्ली-एनसीआर में प्रदूषण का समाधान तो आज तक मिला नहीं. हर साल चिंतित होकर हम-आप सांसों की तकलीफ के साथ-साथ दिल और ब्लड प्रेशर के मरीज भी क्यों बनें?
घर में कैद बुजुर्ग और हांफते लोग, दिल्ली की सांसों में घुला ये कैसा रोग?Nidhi Kulpati
Friday November 08, 2024हमारी हवा जहरीली हो रही है. गुरुवार की शाम को जब मैं इस मुद्दे पर लिखने बैठी तो AQI लगातार 400 पार जाकर दम घोंट रहा था. बहुत लोगों को यह मामला बोरिंग लगे, लेकिन जब आप अपने साथ काम करने वालों को खांसते-हांफते देखते-सुनते हैं, तो चिंता होने लगती है. सुबह उठते ही दरवाजे खिड़कियां खोलने के लिए डॉक्टर मना कर रहे हैं. बड़े बुजुर्गों के लिए तो मॉर्निंग वॉक बाहर की दुनिया से सीधे संपर्क का ज़रिया है, लेकिन डॉक्टर इसकी भी मनाही कर रहे हैं.