The Delhi Government on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the AIRAWAT Research Foundation of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to develop an AI-driven air quality management system aimed at improving pollution monitoring and forecasting in the national capital.
The agreement was signed between the Delhi Government’s Environment Department and the research foundation in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The partnership will remain in force for five years and focus on artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, hyperlocal monitoring and scientific decision-support systems to strengthen pollution control measures.
Officials said the project would enable pollution forecasting 48 to 72 hours in advance and help authorities identify pollution hotspots more accurately for timely intervention.
Speaking at the event, Gupta said the collaboration would strengthen air quality management through improved identification of pollution sources, real-time monitoring and forecast-based strategies.
“Technology-driven governance and innovation are being promoted across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Delhi is also adopting scientific and modern approaches to improve air quality management,” she said.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said Delhi needed technology-based and transparent solutions to tackle the long-term challenge of pollution.
He described the initiative as a step towards building a “smart, scientific and accountable” environmental governance framework in the city.
Under the agreement, an integrated air quality monitoring network based on low-cost sensors, mobile monitoring laboratories and satellite data will be developed across Delhi. The system will support real-time pollution monitoring and hyperlocal analysis of pollution sources.
Officials said an AI-based Decision Support System (DSS) would also be developed to identify pollution hotspots, generate predictive analytics and help authorities take preventive measures before pollution levels rise significantly.
