Delhi cabinet approves cloud-seeding trials to curb air pollution
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New Delhi: The Delhi Cabinet on Wednesday gave the green signal to conduct five cloud-seeding trials in an effort to reduce pollution levels in the national capital and overcome the water scarcity. The trials will take place under the supervision of IIT-Kanpur, and they are likely to take place by the end of May or in June, depending on necessary permissions. The Delhi government is set to transfer funds to the institute for the execution of the project.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that the total budget for the project is Rs 3.21 crore. This includes Rs 2.75 crore for five cloud-seeding operations (Rs 55 lakh each) and Rs 66 lakh for equipment setup, logistics, and preparation. "This is a major step in our efforts to improve air quality and address Delhi’s long-standing environmental issues," said Minister Sirsa.
This project, supported by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is part of the government's wider plan to deal with Delhi's serious air pollution. It will add to other efforts like AI-based pollution monitoring and constant checks at pollution hotspots.
Cloud seeding, or artificial rain, is a scientific process where chemicals are spread into clouds to produce rain. The rainfall will reduce the dust and pollution. The first trial is expected to take place in a 100-square-kilometer area outside Delhi. Then, decisions will be taken after the assessment of the rain and how effective and safe this technique is.
IIT-Kanpur will handle all the processes, such as the trial, aircraft, and chemical use. However, the Delhi government will have to take the no-objection certificates from 13 agencies like the civil aviation, defence, home, and environment ministries, and the Airports Authority of India.