The Delhi government has partnered with Indian Institute of Technology Madras to test innovative “smog-eating” surfaces that could help reduce air pollution in the national capital.

Under a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU), the government and IIT Madras will conduct a six-month pilot study to examine whether photocatalytic materials can break down harmful pollutants that contribute to urban smog.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and officials from the environment department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. The initiative is being carried out under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Testing ‘smog-eating’ materials

The project will evaluate surfaces coated with titanium dioxide-based photocatalysts, materials that react under sunlight to break down pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), both major contributors to smog.

If effective, these coatings could potentially be applied to roads, building facades and other urban surfaces, allowing them to neutralize certain pollutants in the surrounding air.

“Through this study with IIT Madras, we aim to identify practical ways to apply smog-eating coatings on roads, buildings and other surfaces. If the research shows these materials can reduce pollutants like NO₂, it could support future interventions,” Sirsa said.

From lab tests to real-world trials

The research team, led by Somnath C Roy, will first conduct laboratory experiments using a smog chamber to measure how effectively the materials reduce pollutants under controlled conditions.

Following the lab phase, field trials will be carried out in Delhi, where photocatalytic coatings will be tested on surfaces such as concrete roads, asphalt, glass and metal panels.

The study will also examine photocatalytic panels made from titanium dioxide materials, which could be installed on rooftops or mounted on street-light poles to help remove pollutants from surrounding air.

According to Roy, the project will combine controlled laboratory testing with real-time field assessment to determine how well the materials perform and how durable they remain under Delhi’s environmental conditions.

Guiding future pollution control measures

Officials said the findings of the pilot study will help the government assess whether photocatalytic technologies can be deployed at scale, particularly during the city’s peak smog months.

If proven effective, the technology could become part of Delhi’s broader strategy to tackle chronic air pollution in one of the world’s most polluted megacities.