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Why Delhi's artificial rain plan is on hold despite post-Diwali pollution spike
The Delhi government had proposed the artificial rain experiment in July this year as one of the measures to tackle air pollution.
Delhi's much-awaited artificial rain experiment is still on hold months after initially being proposed. The trial, which was expected to take place after Diwali, hasn't received the green light yet.
The Delhi government had proposed the artificial rain experiment in July this year as one of the measures to tackle air pollution.
What minister said on Delhi artificial rain
Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told news agency PTI that there were no suitable clouds for the trial according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and no window is expected until October 25.
"The day we get suitable clouds, we will conduct the trial immediately, as all preparations — from permissions to flight arrangements — are already in place," he said.
Reports had earlier indicated that the trial could happen any day after the Diwali festivities. But the plan remains on hold despite the pollution and AQI spike after Diwali was celebrated with crackers this time.
Postponed multiple times
The Delhi government's cloud seeding project — a major commitment by the BJP-led administration — has been postponed multiple times due to various reasons.
It was initially scheduled for July, but was delayed because of the monsoon, changing weather patterns, disturbances, and now, the lack of suitable cloud cover. No exact date has yet been fixed for the experiment.
An aircraft fitted with cloud-seeding equipment for the artificial rain experiment is stationed in Meerut, under the supervision of a team from IIT Kanpur.
What is Delhi cloud seeding project?
- The Delhi government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur for five cloud seeding trials, which are expected to be conducted in northwest Delhi.
- The project, approved by 23 departments, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), aims to explore whether artificial rain can be a viable solution to tackle pollution in winter.
- Funds have already been transferred to IIT Kanpur, which will deploy its own aircraft for the operation. According to a DGCA order, the activity will be carried out under visual flight rules, without remuneration, and only after obtaining clearances from state and local authorities.
- The cloud seeding operations are authorised between October 1 and November 30 and will follow strict safety, security, and air traffic control guidelines, it said.
Permission has been granted under Rule 26(2) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, allowing IIT Kanpur's Department of Aerospace Engineering to conduct the activity using a Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT).
The project involves the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and the IMD.
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