Startups to drive a ‘Pollution-Free’ revolution in Delhi; CM Rekha Gupta inaugurates exhibition at IIT Delhi

Young innovators to emerge as the strongest force against pollution: CM Rekha Gupta

Focus on new technologies for pollution control; Delhi to become a model city: Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa

New Delhi, January 2026 : The Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta, inaugurated the ‘Innovative Solutions Against Pollution’ exhibition at IIT Delhi on National Startup Day. The exhibition featured prototypes of 33 innovative solutions selected under the Innovation Challenge announced in June 2025. The initiative is a key component of the Delhi Government’s comprehensive strategy to reduce pollution by actively involving youth and emerging innovators.

Addressing the young innovators, the Chief Minister said their ideas reflected a promising vision for a cleaner and better Delhi. Emphasising entrepreneurship, she stated that the youth of Delhi should evolve from being job seekers to job creators. Highlighting air pollution as one of Delhi’s most pressing challenges, she said the Government has moved beyond temporary measures and is now implementing sustainable, technology-driven solutions.

The Chief Minister noted that measures such as odd-even and Red Light On, Engine Off were interim measures. The Delhi Government is now pursuing time-bound, structured and technology-led interventions, including the removal of legacy waste dumps, cleaning of the Yamuna, dust mitigation and expansion of green cover. She also informed that, for the first time, 4,200 hectares of ridge area in Delhi have been officially notified as forest land. Dense forests are being developed through the plantation of indigenous, oxygen-giving trees. Pollution, she underlined, affects air, water, land and life, and addressing it requires the innovative strength of the youth.

Delhi’s Environment Minister, Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa, said that over the past eight months, under the guidance of the Chief Minister, the Government has been working on technologies capable of delivering visible and measurable reductions in pollution levels. He pointed out that Delhi’s air pollution challenge is linked with the entire NCR region, as pollution levels in neighbouring cities such as Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gurugram directly impact Delhi. Accordingly, the city is developing its own robust systems and technological solutions to ensure cleaner air.

He added that the Delhi Government is tackling air pollution on multiple fronts with the support of advanced technologies. Rapid adoption of electric vehicles is being promoted, bio-mining is underway to clear legacy waste, and firm measures are being taken to control dust and PM10 pollution. Emerging technologies such as cloud seeding are also being explored. He expressed confidence that these initiatives will significantly improve Delhi’s air quality and that cloud seeding will set a new national benchmark in pollution control and rain management.