Addressed the @FollowCII Circular Economy Conference in Delhi today. Elaborated on how India under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji has adopted a 'whole of government' approach in creating an enabling platform for all stakeholders to push circular economy. With clear policy, directions like Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 and EPR framewor, the focus now is on translating policy intent into meaningful action. Happy to note that as of October 12, 2026, more than 86,043 producers and 4,880 recyclers are registered under various EPR frameworks. Through these collective efforts, nearly 499.60 lakh metric tonnes of waste had been processed across regulated waste streams, with over 435.043 lakh metric tonnes covered through EPR certificate generation.

Had a very engaging and meaningful interaction with StartUps and innovation companies working on environmental solutions, especially air pollution control and mitigation. The companies presented their solutions to air pollution control challenges and we deliberated on ways to engage further on the proposed solutions. The areas covered by the companies include: 🌱 Industrial emissions monitoring and enforcement: Develop tamper-proof OCEMS and AI detection of data drift/manipulation; monitor APCDs, detect bypass or malfunction, and link APCD operation with furnace/boiler controls. Integrate CAQMS, OCEMS and plant-operation data to flag potential violations. 🌱 Dust control at construction sites and roads: Use of AI cameras to detect C&D-site dust and activate suppression equipment; develop movable dust-containment and filtration systems. Promote low-cost mechanised road sweepers and tools to identify road-dust resuspension hotspots. 🌱 City-wide air-quality mapping and source attribution: Map air quality in near real time, including unmonitored areas; locate hotspots and estimate contributions from vehicles, road dust, construction, industries and biomass burning using monitoring, satellite and meteorological data. 🌱 Cleaner vehicles and smoother traffic: Develop tamper-proof PUC testing that verifies genuine exhaust sampling; use ANPR and linked databases to identify vehicles without valid PUCCs and over-aged vehicles. Apply AI to predict congestion and improve traffic flow, reducing idling and emissions. 🌱 Stubble/open-burning detection and utilisation: Enable 24×7 detection and geolocation of paddy-stubble and other open biomass-burning incidents, with alerts and response tracking. Optimise straw collection, transport and matching with bioenergy, biomass-fuel, composting and other utilisation facilities. 🌱 Cleaner industrial operations and DG sets: Provide affordable systems to monitor combustion efficiency and fuel use in small industries. Improve DG-set emissions control through smart RECDs that detect choking, malfunction, bypass, removal or tampering. 🌱 Recycling construction and demolition waste: Create digital platforms to certify, match and track recycled C&D products against construction-sector demand, improving transparency and utilisation. 🌱 Faster, efficient road maintenance: Developing portable, cost-effective pothole-repair machines for rapid, durable repairs with less manpower and reduced traffic disruption. 🔗 pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.…