Overview

• Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa ordered a focused feasibility study of photocatalytic “smog‑eating” coatings, with an MoU to be signed with a reputed scientific partner within 30 days.
• After the MoU, the Environment Department will conduct field trials on selected stretches, file monthly progress updates, and deliver a final report within six months.
• No deployment decision has been made; if results show clear effectiveness and cost‑efficiency, the department will seek Cabinet approval for rapid installations at priority corridors, markets and public spaces.
• The TiO2‑based coatings are intended for roads, pavements, concrete and tiles to reduce NO2 and harmful hydrocarbons from vehicular exhaust, with Delhi assessing real‑world efficacy following prior tests abroad.
• Officials said the evaluation will prioritise safety, sustainability and value for money while mapping credible suppliers for potential scale‑up under the city’s innovation‑driven pollution plan.