Delhi govt signs MoU to boost air quality management

Delhi's government signed an MoU with AIRAWAT to enhance air quality management using AI, aiming for better pollution forecasting and monitoring.

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the AIRAWAT Research Foundation at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to strengthen air quality management in Delhi using artificial intelligence (AI), advanced analytics and hyperlocal monitoring systems.

An AI-based Decision Support System (DSS) will also be developed to identify pollution hotspots (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO)

The agreement, signed in the presence of chief minister Rekha Gupta, will remain effective for five years and aims to improve pollution forecasting, hotspot identification and scientific decision-making, officials said.

Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “Delhi requires technology-based, transparent, and result-oriented solutions to address air pollution. The initiative will help build a smart, scientific and accountable environmental governance framework in the capital.”

Under the project, the city will get an integrated air quality monitoring network based on low-cost sensors, mobile monitoring laboratories and satellite data for real-time pollution tracking and source analysis. An AI-based Decision Support System (DSS) will also be developed to identify pollution hotspots, conduct hyperlocal analysis and generate air quality forecasts up to 48-72 hours in advance.