Delhi To Adopt AI-Based System To Strengthen Air Pollution Monitoring

The Delhi Government is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AIRAWAT Research Foundation , in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) , to deploy artificial intelligence-based technologies for air quality monitoring, analysis and decision-making in Delhi , officials said on Wednesday.

The proposed partnership aims to establish a collaborative framework between the Delhi Environment Department and ARF to design, develop and operationalise AI-driven, sensor-enabled and analytics-based systems . These systems will be used to monitor, manage and reduce air pollution levels in the national capital.

According to officials, the initiative will focus on building a data-intensive environmental governance model that enables real-time monitoring and more precise understanding of pollution dynamics across the city.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government is committed to adopting technology-backed and science-driven solutions to address the long-standing challenge of air pollution in the capital.

He stated that the government intends to use all credible scientific tools available to safeguard public health. “This MoU reflects our resolve to build a smarter and more responsive environmental governance system ,” Sirsa said.

Officials highlighted that the collaboration will support several key areas, including hyper-local air quality monitoring , predictive pollution forecasting , source attribution of pollutants , decision-support systems , and capacity building within government institutions.

The broader objective of the initiative is to strengthen evidence-based policymaking , improve ambient air quality, and promote environmental and public health outcomes through timely interventions.

Sirsa further clarified that the agreement is primarily a knowledge partnership at this stage, with no immediate financial burden on the Delhi government. “At the MoU stage, there is no financial commitment from the Department of Environment. We are exploring the potential of AI-based air quality technologies developed by ARF,” he said.

He also emphasised that the collaboration is not limited to technology deployment alone but is also aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and coordination mechanisms within the government system.

Officials added that the integration of AI, sensor networks, and advanced analytics is expected to provide sharper insights into pollution patterns, help identify localised emission sources , and enable faster, targeted responses.The initiative is expected to significantly improve the city’s ability to respond to pollution episodes through data-driven and science-led interventions .

Reiterating the government’s focus on public health, Sirsa said the ultimate objective is to ensure that environmental policy in Delhi is guided by reliable evidence, practical outcomes, and measurable impact .“Our goal is simple but ambitious: cleaner air, healthier citizens, and a governance model powered by technology ,” he added.