The air pollution problem in Delhi has reappeared with startling ferocity. AQI levels are above 500+, prompting hospitals to report a substantial increase in breathing-related complaints, schools to close, and outdoor labor to cease. Everyday life is being disrupted by air pollution. It is no longer a seasonal issue. It is now a serious public health emergency.
One significant source of pollution continues to go unnoticed, despite the fact that cars and building sites frequently dominate discussions about it. diesel power plants. During power outages, these devices operate on a daily basis in industries, offices, hospitals, and housing societies. They contribute to the harmful urban haze by releasing significant volumes of particulate matter into the atmosphere.
Greenpeace India claims that air pollution kills around 1.2 million people annually and reduces India’s GDP by an estimated 3%. Diesel generators contribute significantly to the deterioration of air quality, particularly in urban areas with erratic power supplies. An IIT Delhi company made the decision to deal with this concealed issue from its root.
How IITians Built a Pollution Control Solution#
IIT Delhi alumni Kushagra Srivastava, Arpit Dhupar, and Bharti Singhla created Chakr Innovation in 2016. Each of the founders contributed a very personal drive to the battle against air pollution. Growing up in Delhi, Kushagra Srivastava saw firsthand how pollution affected the health of those in his immediate vicinity. He recognized diesel generators as a significant yet underappreciated source of pollution. This realization influenced Chakr’s fundamental technology. Early in life, Arpit Dhupar had health issues. At the age of eighteen, he had to give up sports due to poor air quality. He concentrated on developing emission reduction solutions for industrial chimneys and diesel generators at Chakr.
After working at BCG, Bharti Singhla joined the startup. Beyond consulting, she aimed to make a more significant environmental impact. She assisted in scaling technology at Chakr that collects pollution at its source and transforms it into useful items. A straightforward observation gave rise to the concept for Chakr Innovation. Black soot frequently covered walls close to diesel generating exhausts. That soot was particulate particles that got into people’s lungs. The creators made the decision to put an end to it before it got out of control.
India’s First Approved Diesel Generator Retrofit Device#
Hardware development, testing, and research took up the first two years. The group created systems intended for actual industrial settings. Chakr Innovation accomplished a significant milestone in 2017. Chakr became the first firm in India with an approved diesel generator solution when the Central Pollution Control Board certified its retrofit pollution control device. The apparatus stops pollution from entering the air by directly collecting particulate particles from exhausts. Early deployments had a significant effect. Over 180 kg of particulate matter that would have otherwise contaminated almost 900 billion liters of air had already been collected by Chakr devices. The gathered soot was reused by Chakr. The business demonstrated that garbage might be turned into a useful resource by turning it into paint and ink.
Chakr Shield and Core Technologies#
Chakr Shield is the flagship product of Chakr Innovation. It is a pollution control device made for big and medium-sized diesel generators. Chakr Shield cuts emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter by 70-90%. There are two ways the technology operates. It uses modern material technology to catch smoke particles and transform dangerous gasses into innocuous chemicals. The system remains compact, requires minimal maintenance, and lasts 10 to 12 years. The performance of the generator is unaffected. Complementary clean energy solutions are also provided by Chakr. By enabling generators to run on a combination of cleaner fuels and diesel, the Dual Fuel Kit lowers pollutants and fuel consumption. The IoT DG Monitoring solution assists businesses in adhering to pollution regulations by tracking generator health and emissions in real time. Additionally, the business has investigated energy storage pilots and aluminum-air batteries.
Growth, Revenue, and Industry Impact#
Chakr Innovation has production facilities in Manesar and Pune in addition to its headquarters in Gurugram. The company concentrates on the about $10 billion global diesel generator retrofit industry. Over 15,000 units have been deployed by Chakr at over 1,000 locations. ONGC, JSW Cement, Hindustan Petroleum, and Hitachi Astemo are among its customers. Over 200,000 tonnes of carbon emissions are reduced annually because of these installations. More than 200 engineers and scientists are among the 484 employees of the company. Chakr’s finances have grown significantly. After years of losses, it recorded revenue of ₹125 crore in FY24 and a profit of ₹9.5 crore. With its biggest $23 million Series C round in 2025, Chakr has raised approximately $43.6 million.
The Road Ahead for Clean Air Technology#
Chakr Innovation intends to scale its solutions internationally and increase manufacturing with new finance. Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the United Arab Emirates are important areas of attention. As energy demand keeps rising, material science continues to be a key component of its long-term strategy. Chakr Innovation demonstrates how lucrative business and environmental prevention may coexist. IITian-led technology like Chakr’s provides a workable alternative as India fights deteriorating air quality. Pollution is stopped at its source. The public’s health is safeguarded. It creates value out of waste. It is possible to engineer clean air.
Clear Cut Startups Climate Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Dec 23, 2025 01:15 IST
Written By: Nidhi Chandrikapure
