Govt. partners with IIT Madras for study on smog-eating surfaces to curb pollution

Delhi government partners with IIT Madras to study smog-eating surfaces for innovative air pollution solutions.

The Delhi government on Friday said it has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to study the effectiveness of photocatalytic “smog-eating” materials to combat air pollution in the Capital.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told the media that the six-month study will use titanium dioxide (TiO₂) or similar safe photocatalysts to reduce air pollution in Delhi. He said the project will target key pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds, which contribute to urban smog.

“The study will examine ‘smog-eating’ coatings on roads, buildings, and other city surfaces, and conduct real-world field trials in Delhi. It is essential to find innovative scientific solutions for cleaning Delhi’s air, and our government is supporting innovators through such initiatives,” the Minister said.

Mr. Sirsa said Delhi’s population continues to grow rapidly due to urbanisation. “Our focus remains on achieving cleaner air for people without blanket bans. We must use science to shield our air and protect health and weather without halting vital growth,” Mr. Sirsa said.

Photocatalytic materials such as TiO₂ activate under sunlight and trigger chemical reactions that convert harmful pollutants into less harmful compounds. According to the Delhi government, the study will assess different ways of using these materials, including mixing them into concrete and asphalt, applying surface coatings on infrastructure, and installing innovative panels on rooftops or streetlights.

Such panels could be installed like solar panels on rooftops or mounted on street-light poles to help remove pollutants directly from the surrounding air, it said in a statement.