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Updated On: 28-Jul-2025 10:23 AM
Delhi launches retrofit tech contest with ₹50 lakh prize to cut diesel truck pollution; bans BS-IV trucks from Nov 1.
₹50 lakh prize for new retrofit tech for old diesel trucks.
BS-IV diesel trucks banned in Delhi from November 1.
₹5 lakh initial support for promising solutions.
Focus on cheaper EV retrofitting for heavy vehicles.
Industrial Ideathon 2025 launched for college students.
The Delhi government has launched a major initiative to reduce pollution caused by old diesel trucks. To encourage innovation, the government is offering a reward of ₹50 lakh for technology that can help cut emissions from BS-IV heavy commercial vehicles. This move aims to support cleaner air while promoting smart, cost-effective solutions.
Starting November 1, BS-IV diesel heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter Delhi. This decision comes from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which wants to tackle rising pollution levels in the city. These old trucks are among the key contributors to Delhi’s poor air quality.
To enforce this rule better, the Delhi government is seeking smart retrofit solutions that can reduce emissions instead of just banning trucks.
The government plans to hold a competition to find technology that can upgrade BS-IV trucks to meet BS-VI standards. If someone can create such retrofit solutions, they can win ₹50 lakh.
Industries and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa explained that ₹5 lakh will be given first to projects with good potential. Once the technology passes official tests and receives certification from the National Physical Laboratory, the top prize of ₹50 lakh will be awarded.
He said, “We want to support people who have great ideas but need a platform. If anyone can build cost-effective and pollution-free technology, we are ready to support them.”
Currently, converting old diesel trucks into electric vehicles is expensive, and many people avoid it due to high costs. However, the Delhi government is open to supporting any innovation that can make EV retrofitting cheaper and practical for heavy vehicles.
This is part of a larger plan by Delhi to promote clean transport and reduce dependence on diesel vehicles.
Alongside the retrofit competition, Delhi is launching Industrial Ideathon 2025 to support industrial growth through student innovation. This event is being organised by the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) and Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT).
Registrations are open from July 14 to August 4 at industrialideathondelhi.com. Students from across Delhi can form teams of 2 to 4 members, with at least one female participant per team.
More than 120 teams from over 30 institutions are expected to participate.
The Ideathon will take place in two rounds:
Preliminary Round: August 13–14 at NSUT
Final Round: August 18–20, where selected teams will present their ideas to experts
Ideas will be judged in these four categories:
Logistics and supply chain
Ease of doing business for startups
New technologies for industries
Growth of the MSME sector
Through these initiatives, the Delhi government is blending public policy with citizen participation. Instead of only using restrictions, they are inviting people, students, innovators, and industry experts, to create solutions for cleaner air and stronger industrial growth.
Minister Sirsa said, “We believe in policy by participation. This partnership with NSUT is only the beginning. Our goal is to make Delhi the innovation capital of India.”
Delhi’s new initiative aims to reduce air pollution through innovation rather than just regulation. By offering ₹50 lakh for retrofit technology and launching Industrial Ideathon 2025 for students, the government is encouraging creative solutions for cleaner air and industrial growth. This marks a progressive shift towards public participation in policy, aiming to make Delhi a hub for sustainable innovation.