IIT Delhi, DRIIV collaborate to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR

Technology-based pilot project called SAMEER (Solutions for Air-pollution Mitigation through Engagement, Engineering and Research) to be undertaken in Delhi-NCR from November 2022 to February 2023. 

Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation (DRIIV), an initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, is conducting a technology-based pilot project called SAMEER (Solutions for Air-pollution Mitigation through Engagement, Engineering and Research) in Delhi-NCR from November 2022 to February 2023. 

The initiative will bring together local government authorities, IIT Delhi researchers, tech startups, corporates, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and communities to collectively address the air pollution menace in the winter months. Prof Sagnik Dey, institute chair professor, Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi, will assess the impact of the technology interventions made under project SAMEER to fight air pollution.  

He said, “Air pollution is the largest environmental and health concern in India. It is connected with almost all sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as economic growth, health burden, cognitive impairment, loss in solar power (1GW) due to aerosol, climate change, etc. Without public support, mass awareness and technology interventions, the issue of air pollution cannot be resolved.” Prof Dey said as part of project SAMEER, they would explore the impact of various air pollution mitigation technologies at hotspots of Delhi-NCR and promote clean air practices. 

Doctors to create awareness on pollution 

A three-pronged approach will be taken for the project which involves awareness and community engagement, where doctors and health practitioners will engage with communities such as farmers, school and college students, RWAs, urban slums and others to create awareness about the adverse health impact of air pollution. 

Secondly, science and technology interventions will be held to monitor and reduce PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels based on technological solutions. Lastly, senior leaders from the industry will be mobilised to adopt and support technological solutions to environmental problems. The solutions will be deployed in high AQI areas of Delhi and Gurugram as a pilot project to assess their efficacy. 

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