Delhi govt signs MoU with Chicago Uni to work on better air quality

New Delhi: Delhi government Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of Chicago as they will conduct a two-month-long challenge inviting fresh ideas to improve air and water quality in the capital.

The centrepiece of partnership will be this unique competition - 'Urban Labs Innovation Challenge - Delhi' which will be launched on December 1.

Ashish Khetan, Vice-chairman of Delhi Dialogue Commission -an advisory body of the AAP government, said that the University will fund the best idea chosen for Delhi. It will provide a minimum fund of Rs 2 crore for the pilot project.

"People can give their ideas on improving air quality of the national capital and persons whose ideas are selected to implement will be given prize money. Different organisation - RWAs, NGOs and experts - also can send their ideas," Khetan said here.

The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago will provide scientific inputs and rigorously evaluate pilots and prize funding will be provided by the University of Chicago Urban Labs initiative.

The competition website is online at urbanlabsdelhi.Uchicago.In where people can also sign up to stay updated as details are finalised.

"With the technical and financial help from University of Chicago, Government of Delhi will open a challenge for all citizens of the country to come forward and pilot their ideas to solve major problem of pollution on a big scale," Khetan said.

"Although it is undeniable that Delhi faces environmental challenges, there is also significant potential for positive change. Reducing waste burning, enhancing solar energy and cutting back diesel combustion could all help clean the air

"And, there is a need to encourage innovative ideas that help achieve these goals," said Anant Sudarshan, India Executive Director of the Energy Policy Institute at University of Chicago.