Clean-Air Innovation Faces Data and Funding Gaps: WeNaturalists

22 Dec 2025 CW Team

India’s clean-air innovation ecosystem is facing significant constraints due to data fragmentation, funding shortages and regulatory delays, according to a recent nationwide assessment by WeNaturalists. Based on over 1.2 million environmental observations and inputs from more than 300 climate innovators, NGOs and researchers, the study covers more than 70 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Indore, Surat and Lucknow.

The report highlights that 62 per cent of innovators lack access to reliable or standardised air quality and emissions data, limiting their ability to design, test and validate solutions. Funding remains a major bottleneck, with 54 per cent of respondents reporting shortages of early-stage risk capital, particularly for hardware-led and monitoring technologies. Regulatory timelines further slow progress, as over 40 per cent of innovators face approval periods ranging from six to 18 months for pilots or deployment.

Public concern over air pollution has intensified, with citizen queries rising sharply in recent months amid wide variations in AQI readings across monitoring systems. Healthcare facilities in several cities have also reported higher pollution-related outpatient visits, underscoring the health impact. WeNaturalists notes strong potential in emissions monitoring, sensor networks and AI-driven advisory tools, calling for interoperable data systems, streamlined approvals and targeted funding to accelerate clean-air solutions nationwide.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Second Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough in Palghar Advances High Speed Rail

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (MAHSR) project reached a milestone with the breakthrough of a mountain tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. Mountain tunnel MT-six measures 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide and will accommodate up and down tracks. The breakthrough follows MT-five near Saphale on second January 2026 and the MT-six excavation was completed from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The ministry reported that the tunnelling was completed within 12 months. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method is favoured for its flexibility in complex geology and irregular tunnel s..

Modi Government Pushes Atmanirbhar Container Drive With BCSL MoU

The Union Government advanced a plan to create an integrated, domestically anchored container ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). The MoU was signed by key agencies including the Shipping Corporation of India and Container Corporation of India alongside major port authorities and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in the presence of senior ministers. The initiative aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026–2..

Ministry Reports Gains In Mobility For Marginalised Communities

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing skill development, education and rehabilitation schemes to promote socio-economic mobility and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and disadvantaged communities across the country. Programmes target Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis through specialised implementing corporations and empanelled training institutes. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana, or PM-DAKSH, provided skill training and placement support through the Nati..