Delhiites could soon get relief from air pollution. If everything goes well, the Kejriwal government may conduct Cloud Seeding- artificial rain for the first time in Delhi. Regarding the plan for artificial rain, Delhi’s Environment Minister Shri Gopal Rai, Education Minister Atishi, and other officials held a crucial meeting with specialists from IIT Kanpur on Wednesday and requested them to provide a detailed plan on Thursday.
The Environment Minister stated that artificial rain could be conducted in Delhi around November 20-21. In this regard, the Delhi government will present its plan to the Supreme Court and request assistance from the central government. If the Supreme Court issues an order, IIT Kanpur could carry out the first pilot project for artificial rain in Delhi around November 20-21.
After the meeting with specialists from IIT Kanpur, Shri Gopal Rai briefed on the Delhi Government’s scheme to conduct artificial rain by cloud seeding on November 20th and 21st. He stated, “As of now the weather is becoming stagnant, the temperature is continuously decreasing. The wind speed is so slow. From the past few days, stability in the level of pollution has been noted. Keeping these things in mind the Delhi Government is considering all the possibilities to tackle the issue.”
The Environment Minister continued, “In this regard, on 12th September we conducted a meeting with many experts. In the same meeting, IIT Kanpur gave its presentation on cloud seeding, and artificial rain to reduce pollution levels. We observed in their presentation that IIT Kanpur has already conducted a few pilot projects regarding the same but they were during the monsoonal months of June and July. Keeping the perspective in, we solicited a detailed presentation from IIT Kanpur on the possibilities of the artificial rain in Delhi during winters.”
Shri Gopal Rai mentioned, “Today, we conducted our second meeting with IIT Kanpur on the same. And we have understood what could be done. IIT Kanpur said that there is a possibility of artificial rain.”
The Environment Minister further added that as per the IIT Kanpur, there is a minimum requirement of 40% cloud cover to conduct artificial rain through cloud seeding. IIT Kanpur has informed the weather department that there is a possibility of favorable conditions on the 20th and 21st of this month. IIT Kanpur asked for permission to conduct the first pilot before the 20th of November. Taking these things into consideration the Delhi Government has asked for a detailed presentation from them. After a thorough study, we will present it before the Supreme Court since there’s a hearing regarding the same in the Supreme Court a day after tomorrow. We want the Supreme Court to contemplate this.”
Shri Gopal Rai further added, “If the Supreme Court approves, then we get into the process of obtaining permission from the central government. We want that if there’s any such technological experiment possible then it should be conducted.”
The Environment Minister stated that our goal is that if clouds are visible around November 20-21 and all permissions are granted during this period, IIT Kanpur could conduct the first pilot project for artificial rain in Delhi. Currently, there is an unusual weather situation with very low wind speed, and the temperature is also dropping. Therefore, we are utilizing all available sources, including the winter action plan and the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Furthermore, following the suggestions made by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, we have started working on them. We endeavour to reduce the impact of air pollution by using as many sources as possible.
Shri Gopal shared a few snippets from the meeting on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) quoting, “An important meeting on conducting artificial rain with experts from IIT Kanpur and CII to reduce pollution in Delhi during the winters.”
