Delhi Seeks Urgent Meeting for Artificial Rain to Combat Winter Pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai urged the Union Environment Minister for an urgent meeting to discuss cloud seeding (Artificial Rain) to combat Delhi's winter air pollution. He emphasized the necessity of prior permissions and comprehensive planning for this emergency measure.

Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday urged Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to convene an urgent meeting with stakeholders to evaluate cloud seeding as a method to combat the city's winter air pollution. In a written communication, Rai stressed the critical situation Delhi faces each November and the imperative need to assess the feasibility of this method. Rai noted that prior clearances from various government agencies are necessary to implement cloud seeding.

Rai has called for an immediate meeting involving representatives from MoEFCC, the Delhi Government, CPCB, IMD, and other relevant agencies to thoroughly evaluate cloud seeding as an emergency measure. In 2023, the Delhi Government considered cloud seeding during hazardous air quality days and requested IIT Kanpur to develop a comprehensive plan.

Earlier this month, Rai conducted a high-level meeting with the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to prepare a winter action plan against air pollution. He announced that the government is actively developing a strategy to tackle winter pollution. A joint action plan with 33 concerned departments will be formulated, focusing on 14 major points identified during the discussions.