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

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.