In cities like Delhi, where winter smog routinely pushes the Air Quality Index (AQI) beyond 400, air purifiers are no longer a luxury but a household necessity. With pollution levels peaking due to vehicle emissions, construction dust, stubble burning, and seasonal fog, indoor air often becomes as harmful as the air outside. Air purifiers are compact devices designed to remove harmful pollutants from indoor air. Most modern units utilize True HEPA filters, which are capable of trapping up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.
These include PM2.5, dust, pollen, smoke particles, allergens, and even certain viruses. Most effective air purifiers rely on a combination of technologies HEPA Filters Capture fine particulate matter from traffic exhaust, industrial emissions and crop burning Activated Carbon Filters Absorb gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cooking, paints and cleaners UV-C, Plasma, or Ionisers Help neutralise bacteria, mold spores, and pathogens Smart Sensors Automatically adjust fan speed based on real-time indoor AQI readings Together, these layers ensure continuous and efficient purification. The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) measures how quickly a purifier cleans the air. For a room of around 300 sq ft, experts recommend a CADR of 200 m³/h or higher for effective performance.
A special episode of 'Pollution Ka Solution' explores innovations designed to combat severe air pollution in Delhi's hotspots. The report highlights the German-engineered Filter Cube technology developed by Mann+Hummel and introduced in India through MRH Technologies Private Limited. According to MRH Technologies Director Rajan Handa, the solution uses forced air circulation and specialized multi-layered filtration to capture road dust, particulate matter, and hazardous gases like NO2 and SO2. Validated in testing at IIT Delhi, the system achieved a 60 to 70 percent reduction in localized pollution levels. Priyanka Manocha of MRH Technologies explains that each intelligent unit delivers approximately 17,500 cubic metres of clean air per hour, equivalent to the volume of a cricket stadium. The automated devices feature rain sensors, customizable night modes, and centralized dashboards to monitor air quality performance across multiple urban zones.
The India Today Pollution Ka Solution special report examines four technological innovations aimed at tackling severe air pollution in Delhi's hotspots.
A special report examines four technological innovations aimed at tackling severe air pollution in Delhi's hotspots. The first solution features Mann+Hummel's Filter Cube technology, brought to India by MRH Technologies, which claims a 60 to 70 percent reduction in particulate matter and harmful gases. The second innovation is Human Technologies' Ambient Purification System, an outdoor filterless wind-tunnel design built to settle heavier particulate matter without frequent maintenance. The third system, developed by Shudh Vayu Technology, is a vehicle-mounted retrofit air purifier that harnesses kinetic energy while driving to capture particulate matter without using electricity. Lastly, Aeroboz, in partnership with IIT Kanpur, presents a bus rooftop 'wind panel' combining electrostatic filtration with solar and wind energy generation. Together, these technologies offer scalable outdoor interventions to mitigate toxic air exposure across urban transport, schools, and crowded public zones.
A special broadcast of 'Pollution ka Solution' explores innovative technologies to combat air quality crises across Delhi's pollution hotspots. The episode highlights tested solutions, including German filtration giant Mann+Hummel's Filter Cube, brought to India via MRH Technologies. Tested previously in Stuttgart, Germany, and validated by IIT Delhi during peak pollution months, the forced air circulation device filters road dust, smoke, NO2, and SO2, achieving a 60 to 70 percent reduction in localized pollution. The system delivers approximately 17,500 cubic metres of clean air per hour to establish clean air zones, featuring automated rain sensors, night mode energy conservation, and centralised dashboard monitoring. Representatives emphasized the necessity of public-private participation and deployable, real-world solutions over theoretical experiments to safeguard citizen health, protect children from severe toxic exposure, and address development-induced particulate emissions across high-risk urban areas.
This news broadcast covers key national and corporate developments, starting with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) initiating legal adjudication against Nestle India over promotional claims for infant formulas such as NAN EXELA Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1 under the Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act.
This episode of Five Live covers the results of the Rajasthan civic body elections, where the Bharatiya Janata Party secured 41 percent of the wards, the Congress captured 35 percent, and independent candidates and smaller parties won 24 percent.
Speaking about air pollution, Sandeep Sharma, Business Head at Zero Carbon Tech 24 Private Limited, highlighted that Delhi's air pollution is a "long term environmental challenge" rather than a seasonal problem. Addressing multiple pollution sources including vehicular emissions, road dust, construction, and industries, Sharma emphasised the need for scalable and sustainable Made in India technologies. He presented patented filterless, self-cleaning, IoT-enabled dust and smoke capturing devices, including the STR 101 streetlight model, the DVR 101 road divider model, and the Thor 101 industrial unit designed for heavy emitters like cement, pharma, steel, and aluminium plants. Sharma explained that these low-power devices can process millions of litres of air hourly without maintenance filters. He noted that deployments across Delhi, Odisha, and Meghalaya achieved an average 40 to 45 per cent reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels. Sharma also commended India Today's campaign for fostering collaboration between industries, policymakers, and citizens to drive measurable environmental solutions.
India Today's Pollution Ka Solution campaign showcases groundbreaking grassroots innovations aimed at tackling Delhi's severe air pollution. Innovators have presented solutions targeting various sources of pollution, including non-exhaust particulate emissions, vehicle idling, and roadside hotspots. Highlights include a tyre particle collector proposed by student Anvi Singh, Mirza Arif's Pollred device designed to capture road and tyre dust on buses, and Axel One's Atmos Pole deployed at Rajghat as a solar-powered multi-functional air-cleaning street light. Additionally, Ecosystem Private Limited founders Prathiraj Kumar and Sumit Pawar introduced Pawan 3, a multi-layer HEPA filtration device designed for traffic signals and roadside hotspots. Young entrepreneurs Siddhant Kumar Nishad and Tejas from Matiyari Technology Private Limited also presented their indigenous microalgae-based air purification system, currently deployed at Anand Vihar ISBT, which absorbs carbon dioxide and generates oxygen through photosynthesis.
Siddhant Kumar Nishad from Lucknow and industrial microbiologist Tejas from Beed have introduced Matriyari Technology Private Limited, an initiative aiming to address air pollution through algae-based technology. Operating from Anand Vihar ISBT terminal in Delhi with a demo prototype, the startup targets reducing PM 2.5 carbon particles while generating oxygen. Siddhant explains that insufficient oxygen causes brain fatigue and affects concentration, highlighting that while standard purifiers only filter air, their system incorporates climate technology to absorb carbon dioxide and generate oxygen via photosynthesis. The reactor uses a specific algae mix in water with a pump system to separate particulates and react with incoming gases. The team, currently consisting of eight to nine core members, estimates manufacturing costs between fifty thousand and one lakh rupees, with projected selling prices from one point five to three lakh rupees depending on logistics. The founders acknowledged support from India Today and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee officials in backing their demo deployment.
Ecosystem Private Limited founders Pratiraj Kumar and Sumit Pawar have introduced 'Pawan 3', an on-ground air purification innovation designed to combat outdoor air pollution at hotspots and roadside dividers. Developed as a 'Made in India and Made for India' solution, the device is built to withstand Indian climate conditions, featuring anti-theft and weather-resistant designs. The system utilises a high suction mechanism, multilayer filtration, HEPA filters, and an integrated cooling and heating unit to purify air, reducing AQI, PM 2.5, and PM 10 levels. While the earlier 'Pawan 1' device demonstrated over a 29 percent reduction in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, the founders project that 'Pawan 3' could achieve more than a 40 percent reduction. Currently installed in Kirti Nagar, Delhi, the electricity-powered unit has been operating for three months. The initiative was highlighted as part of the 'Pollution Ka Solution' campaign launched by the India Today network and the Delhi government to scale innovative ground-level anti-pollution solutions.
The India Today Group campaign 'Pollution ka Solution' highlights an innovation designed to combat vehicular pollution in Delhi. A city-based innovator has introduced 'Poll Red', a multipurpose air pollution and heat reduction device developed to be mounted on public transport buses. The system captures particulate matter, non-exhaust emissions, road dust, tyre wear debris, and greenhouse gases through multiple filtration layers without releasing captured pollutants back into the environment. Designed with an internal water mechanism and multi-stage layered filters, the unit traps solid particles while releasing filtered air to passengers. Operating continuously on public transit vehicles, the innovation aims to purify millions of litres of ambient air daily during routine bus journeys across the national capital.
In this episode of 5 Live, the focus is on the law and order situation in Punjab following the killing of two police personnel in Gurdaspur near the Pakistan border.
Following the exposé on fake Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government has suspended 28 PUC centres and blacklisted four others, including one in Gokulpuri.
The Centre has informed the Delhi High Court that there will be no urgent GST Council meeting to consider reducing the tax on air purifiers. Responding to a PIL seeking a GST cut from 18% to 5%, the government argued that air purifiers cannot be classified as medical devices by the GST Council, stating this falls under the Health Ministry's domain. The Centre termed the petition 'calculated and loaded'. The court was told that policy decisions cannot be directed by the judiciary.
In this news bulletin, the Centre informs the Delhi High Court that there will be no urgent GST Council meeting to consider reducing the tax on air purifiers. Responding to a PIL seeking a GST cut from 18% to 5%, the government argues that air purifiers cannot be classified as medical devices by the GST Council, stating this falls under the Health Ministry's domain. The Centre terms the petition 'calculated and loaded'. India Today's Anisha Mathur reports that the court has asked the Additional Solicitor General to convey the urgency to the council, noting that clean air is unaffordable for many. The next hearing is set for January 9.
This news report covers the dual crises impacting Delhi: severe air pollution and significant legal decisions. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the health emergency, stating he falls ill from the pollution and acknowledging that vehicles contribute 40% of emissions. The environmental issue has direct economic consequences, as anti-pollution construction bans have left daily wage labourers in financial distress, with many alleging they have not received promised government relief. Further compounding the city's challenges, an investigation has exposed a fake PUC certificate scam. In a separate major development, the Delhi High Court suspended the life sentence of a convict in the Unnao gangrape case, a decision that has sparked a debate on the justice system and women's safety, drawing comments from activists and the mother of the Nirbhaya case victim.
In this Special Report, the focus is on the Delhi High Court's strong remarks regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on air purifiers.
The Delhi High Court pulled up the Centre over the 18% GST on air purifiers and asked should Delhi stop breathing for 15 days?
On Day 8 of the IndiGo chaos, the Civil Aviation Ministry ordered a 5% reduction in IndiGo's winter schedule due to significant operational chaos and widespread flight cancellations.
Investigations are underway following a deadly fire at the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Vagator, Goa, which claimed 25 lives. The club's owners, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, fled to Phuket, Thailand, hours after the incident. Authorities have uncovered illegalities, including construction on government land and a lack of fire safety permits, leading to the demolition of the associated Romeo Lane property. In a separate development, the Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered IndiGo to cut its winter schedule by 5% due to an operational meltdown. This action follows widespread chaos and flight cancellations attributed to the airline's failure to staff up after the implementation of new pilot rest regulations. Additionally, a new five-year study reveals that Delhi's evening commute causes severe lung damage due to high PM 2.5 levels, with experts recommending the use of high-grade HEPA filters in vehicles to mitigate health risks.
