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Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Delhi to throw 50-lakh innovation challenge to retrofit BS-IV trucks
Delhi govt is launching a research and development exercise through a competition to encourage retrofitting innovations in line with Commission for Air Quality Management 's directive banning BS-IV heavy vehicles from entering the city starting Nov 1. The govt plans to award ₹50 lakh to people or companies that develop effective technology to upgrade BS-IV trucks to BS-VI standards. It will also invest in research and innovation for converting diesel cars into electric vehicles. The initiatives aim to reduce pollution and support cleaner transportation solutions in Delhi, said environment minister Manjinder Sirsa . The selected projects will initially be given ₹5 lakh, and the technology that qualifies for use and gets the certification from National Physical Laboratory will win ₹50 lakh, Sirsa said, adding that the govt wants to encourage research and development and provide talented minds with a platform. He noted that currently, retrofitting cars into electric vehicles was a costly exercise. "If people come up with cheaper innovations, the govt is planning to consider them." The managing director of NGO International Council on Clean Transportation, Amit Bhatt, said, "Retrofitting engines with after-treatment devices can be technically possible, but the associated costs could be high." The govt will organise Industrial Ideathon 2025 in Aug, aiming to source innovative, student-led solutions to drive industrial growth in the city. Organised by Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation on behalf of the industries department, it is being co-hosted by Netaji Subhas University of Technology. Sirsa said the event was part of the govt's mission to bring young innovators into the heart of industrial policymaking. "Ideathon reflects our government's commitment to digital transformation, youth empowerment and inclusive entrepreneurship." Open to over 120 interdisciplinary student teams from around 30 colleges and universities across Delhi, the competition will accept registrations from July 14 to Aug 4 on Teams of two-four students, at least one of them a woman, will participate. It invites solutions across four sectors-logistics and supply-chain management challenges, tech solutions for ease of doing business for startups and entrepreneurs, frontier technologies to revamp industrial ecosystem, and innovations to strengthen the micro, small and medium enterprises sector.
News18
a day ago
- Automotive
- News18
Delhi Govt Launches Rs 50 Lakh Innovation Challenge To Tackle Pollution From Heavy Vehicles
Delhi's Industries and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government aims to encourage practical, scalable innovations to tackle pollution from heavy vehicles. As the BS-IV diesel heavy vehicles are set to be restricted in Delhi from November 1, the Delhi government has launched an innovation challenge aimed at finding retrofit solutions to upgrade such vehicles to BS-VI standards. The top prize for a viable solution has been set at Rs 50 lakh. The initiative comes in response to directives from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which has mandated the ban as part of efforts to curb vehicular pollution in the capital. Delhi's Industries and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government aims to encourage practical, scalable innovations to tackle pollution from heavy vehicles. 'Initial qualifying entries will receive Rs 5 lakh for prototype development. Final winners, whose technology clears evaluation by the National Physical Laboratory, will be awarded Rs 50 lakh," Sirsa said. He added that the aim is to provide a platform for innovators working on cost-effective, clean mobility solutions. Further, the government is also exploring ways to convert diesel cars into electric vehicles as part of its broader clean transport strategy. In a separate initiative, the Delhi government has also announced the Industrial Ideathon 2025, aimed at sourcing fresh ideas from students for industrial development. Organised by the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) in collaboration with Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), the event invites student teams from institutions across Delhi. Registrations are open from July 14 to August 4 at 'This ideathon reflects our commitment to involving youth in shaping Delhi's industrial future," said Sirsa. The competition will be held in two phases—preliminary rounds on August 13–14 at NSUT and a final round between August 18–20. Teams will pitch solutions in areas such as logistics, startup ease-of-business, advanced industrial technologies, and MSME support. Each team must consist of 2–4 members, including at least one female participant. Over 120 teams from more than 30 colleges are expected to take part. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 07:11 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Delhi to throw 50-lakh innovation challenge to retrofit BS-IV trucks
New Delhi: Delhi govt is launching a research and development exercise through a competition to encourage retrofitting innovations in line with Commission for Air Quality Management's directive banning BS-IV heavy vehicles from entering the city starting Nov 1. The govt plans to award Rs 50 lakh to people or companies that develop effective technology to upgrade BS-IV trucks to BS-VI standards. It will also invest in research and innovation for converting diesel cars into electric vehicles. The initiatives aim to reduce pollution and support cleaner transportation solutions in Delhi, said environment minister Manjinder Sirsa. The selected projects will initially be given Rs 5 lakh, and the technology that qualifies for use and gets the certification from National Physical Laboratory will win Rs 50 lakh, Sirsa said, adding that the govt wants to encourage research and development and provide talented minds with a platform. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi He noted that currently, retrofitting cars into electric vehicles was a costly exercise. "If people come up with cheaper innovations, the govt is planning to consider them." The managing director of NGO International Council on Clean Transportation, Amit Bhatt, said, "Retrofitting engines with after-treatment devices can be technically possible, but the associated costs could be high." The govt will organise Industrial Ideathon 2025 in Aug, aiming to source innovative, student-led solutions to drive industrial growth in the city. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo Organised by Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation on behalf of the industries department, it is being co-hosted by Netaji Subhas University of Technology. Sirsa said the event was part of the govt's mission to bring young innovators into the heart of industrial policymaking. "Ideathon reflects our government's commitment to digital transformation, youth empowerment and inclusive entrepreneurship." Open to over 120 interdisciplinary student teams from around 30 colleges and universities across Delhi, the competition will accept registrations from July 14 to Aug 4 on Teams of two-four students, at least one of them a woman, will participate. It invites solutions across four sectors—logistics and supply-chain management challenges, tech solutions for ease of doing business for startups and entrepreneurs, frontier technologies to revamp industrial ecosystem, and innovations to strengthen the micro, small and medium enterprises sector.
NDTV
a day ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Delhi To Offer Rs 50 Lakh For Innovation To Cut Pollution From Heavy Vehicles
New Delhi: With the clock ticking on the upcoming ban on BS-IV diesel heavy vehicles in the capital, the Delhi government is planning on rolling out a competition to find retrofit solutions, offering a top prize of ₹50 lakh for workable technology that can upgrade older trucks to BS-VI standards. The move follows a directive from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which bars BS-IV heavy vehicles from entering Delhi starting November 1. Officials say the goal is to support pollution control through innovation rather than just enforcement. "Initially, the projects that qualify will be given ₹5 lakh, and those whose technology would qualify for use and after certification from the National Physical Laboratory, one can win ₹50 lakh," Industries and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told NDTV. He said the government wants to offer a platform for innovators to bring cost-effective clean mobility solutions into the mainstream. "The government wants to encourage research and development and provide talented minds with a platform," Mr Sirsa said. Currently, retrofitting cars into electric vehicles is a costly exercise, which deters many from switching to electric. If people come up with technological innovations in this sector that are cheaper, the government is planning to consider them as well." In parallel, the government is also backing research on converting diesel cars into electric vehicles as part of its wider clean transport strategy. Industrial Ideathon to Tap Campus Innovation The Delhi government also announced Industrial Ideathon 2025, set to kick off next month to crowdsource student-led solutions for industrial growth. The event, organised by the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) in collaboration with Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), is open to student teams from across the city. Registrations are open from July 14 to August 4 via the official portal- "Industrial Ideathon 2025 is part of our mission to bring young innovators into the heart of industrial policymaking," Mr Sirsa said. "Delhi's youth has the talent and imagination we need to solve the real challenges faced by our industries." The ideathon will be held in two phases. A preliminary round is scheduled for August 13–14 at NSUT, where shortlisted teams will take on a timed innovation challenge. Finalists will compete in the grand finale between August 18 and 20, pitching solutions to a panel of industry experts. Ideas will be judged across four focus areas: logistics and supply chain, ease of doing business for startups, frontier technologies for industrial transformation, and strengthening the MSME sector. Each team must include two to four members, with at least one female participant. More than 120 teams from over 30 institutions are expected to participate. "We believe in policy by participation," Mr Sirsa added. "The collaboration between DSIIDC and NSUT is the first step in a longer journey to make Delhi the innovation capital of India."
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi Air Foulest Among Serial Offenders
New Delhi: Delhi remains the most polluted among the 130 non-attainment cities (those that have consistently failed to meet air quality standards) in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), despite a 15% improvement in PM10 levels over seven years. The city also utilised only 22.5% of the funds released to combat air quality under NCAP and 15th Finance Commission. The Union environment ministry provided this information while replying to questions asked by two members of the Lok Sabha. The ministry's reply said that the annual average PM10 level in Delhi had dropped from 241 micrograms per cubic metre in 2017-18 to 203 micrograms per cubic metre in 2024-25. This is still the highest in the country, second only to Patna, which recorded 167 micrograms per cubic metre. The national standard for annual average PM10 concentration is 60 micrograms per cubic metre. PM10 pollutants the coarser aerosols that penetrate deep into the lungs and sources may vary from transport and dust to industrial emissions and burning. The reply, however, dubbed the improvement "notable". In four of the major non-attainment cities, Delhi did better than Chennai (12% improvement), even if it had a PM10 concentration of a mere 58 units. "As per recent data, there has been notable improvement in PM10 levels in major Indian cities. Mumbai has shown improvement in PM10 levels with a 44% reduction in 2024-25 compared with 2017-18, followed by Kolkata (37%) and Delhi (15%)," stated the ministry reply. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The reply also stated that Rs 62 crore was sanctioned for action under NCAP and the 15th Finance Commission in 2019-20. Of this, just Rs 13.9 crore has been utilised to date. The reply listed measures taken to control pollution in Delhi, including the use of cleaner fuel and formulation of Graded Response Action Plan. "To address vehicular emissions, govt has taken proactive measures such as the introduction of BSVI fuel norms for vehicles from April 1, 2018, in Delhi and from April 1, 2020, for the rest of the country, introduction of a vehicle scrapping policy and the promotion of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure through various central schemes," the reply stated. It added that the Commission for Air Quality Management also directed Delhi govt to migrate public transport services, especially buses in NCR, to cleaner modes and ordered other anti-pollution measures, like getting brick kilns to adopt zig-zag technology, banning pet coke and furnace oil as industrial fuel, use of piped natural gas for industries and installation of anti-smog guns and dust control measures in the city. Launched in Jan 2019, NCAP aims to reduce PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024, 2017 being the base year. It was later extended to 2026 with a revised target of a 40% reduction against the 2017 level.
