By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Sunday that his department will conduct a technology-backed study on titanium oxide-based “smog-eating” photocatalytic coatings that can be applied to roads to fortify the Capital’s air protection efforts.
The technology can reduce nitrogen dioxide and harmful hydrocarbons in spaces where people live, travel, and work, he said, adding that the technology has been used in some cities abroad but not yet in India.
“If the study confirms that these smog-eating surfaces are effective and cost-efficient, the department will move a Cabinet proposal for rapid, city-wide deployment at priority locations, such as busy corridors, markets and public spaces to deliver visible, people-first gains in air quality,” Mr. Sirsa said.
The evaluation will focus on safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, while mapping credible suppliers for possible large-scale rollout, he added.
The Minister informed that the department will take a step-by-step approach, from selecting a scientific partner within 30 days to running field trials on real city stretches to delivering a final report within six months of the agreement. “Delhi’s fight against pollution is personal for every child, every senior, every worker, and we are putting safe, science-based tools on the ground, measuring results, and scaling up quickly,” the Minister added.
