The Indian capital opened its first "smog tower" on Monday (August 24) with the aim of reducing air pollution in the city.

The experimental structure is said to be capable of purifying the air in a 1-kilometre radius at a rate of 1,000 cubic meters per second.

Forty fans installed at the bottom of the tower suck air in from the top, filter it and then release it again.

Inside the tower are 5,0000 filters that can collect microparticles included smoke, dust and pollen, according to the project organisers.

A two-year pilot study will ascertain the effectiveness of the smog tower.

India’s capital New Delhi has opened its first “smog tower”, aimed at reducing air pollution. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated on Monday the country’s first ‘smog tower,’ an experimental set up to purify the air in a 1-km radius around the structure, at a rate of around 1,000 cubic meters of air per second.

The over 20-meter-tall structure, being set up to improve air quality in a radius of around one km. The tower will be able to purify 1,000 cubic meters of air per second. A two-year pilot study will be undertaken to ascertain the effectiveness of the smog tower after it becomes operational.

A total of 40 fans have been installed at the bottom of the tower — air will be sucked in from the top, filtered, and released through the fans at the bottom. The tower comprises 5,000 filters. These are electrostatic air filters that can filter out microparticles, including those that constitute smoke, household dust, and pollen, according to the project description. A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system have been installed in the tower to collect data and monitor its functioning.