How is IIT-Kanpur's mobile lab identifying Delhi's pollution sources?

The lab uses advanced instruments and AI to analyze airborne particles and gases, distinguishing pollution origins like dust, traffic, and industrial emissions.

What did the mobile lab find about pollution in Anand Vihar versus Dwarka?

Anand Vihar had higher pollution with significant local dust and transported particles, while Dwarka's pollution was mainly secondary organic aerosols.

Can AI help solve Delhi's pollution problem?

Yes, AI models trained on mobile lab data can provide hyper-local, real-time source identification, enabling precise interventions for pollution control.

Home / Environment / Delhi's Air: AI Maps Pollution's Hidden Origins

Delhi's Air: AI Maps Pollution's Hidden Origins

21 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Mobile lab reveals pollution varies greatly by Delhi neighborhood.
AI models trained to pinpoint pollution sources using sensor data.
Anand Vihar shows 56% organic matter, Dwarka dominated by secondary aerosols.

Delhi's Air: AI Maps Pollution's Hidden Origins

IIT-Kanpur researchers deployed a mobile atmospheric research laboratory in Delhi between May and June 2025 to precisely identify pollution sources. Parked at busy Anand Vihar and quieter Dwarka, the customized van collected high-resolution chemical data. This information feeds into artificial intelligence models designed to understand and address Delhi's complex air quality issues, moving beyond generalized city-wide statistics.

The mobile lab, equipped with advanced instruments, analyzed PM 2.5 concentrations, revealing significant differences between the two sites. Anand Vihar recorded higher pollution levels dominated by organic matter, road dust, and regional transport, whereas Dwarka showed a prevalence of secondary organic aerosols. This highlights that Delhi faces multiple, localized pollution problems varying by neighborhood and time.