The technology developed at IIT Delhi is capable of reducing air pollution levels by up to 90%, which will eliminate the smoke emitted by old diesel vehicles without requiring them to be scrapped. This affordable unit will be installed on older diesel vehicles.
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari supported the implementation of this technology. The device is called the Retrofit Emission Control Device (RECD). Simply put, it is a filter that attaches near the muffler and significantly cleans the black smoke coming out of the vehicle. Thanks to this, old vehicles meeting BS-III and BS-IV standards can emit smoke as clean as new BS-VI standard vehicles.
During his speech at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Nitin Gadkari announced that trials of this technology were successful. This solution will be a significant help to vehicle owners as it offers an alternative to regulations requiring the scrapping of old heavy vehicles as scrap metal.
The main benefit for users is cost savings. Buying a new commercial vehicle after selling an old one involves huge expenses, whereas the expected cost of this RECD device is only about 4000–5000 rupees. It functions like a home air purifier: the vehicle's toxic black smoke passes through this mechanism, which absorbs soot and dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, allowing clean air to exit the muffler.
Although similar technologies have previously been used in diesel generators, they are now adapted specifically for vehicles. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is preparing to approve the Automotive Industry Standard 228 (AIS-228) draft. This standard will define the technical requirements for the device's design and functionality. The government's goal is not only to remove vehicles from the roads but also to promote scientifically sound, inexpensive solutions that allow old machines to operate without harming the environment.