Delhi To Conduct Five Cloud-Seeding Trials For Artificial Rain To Combat Air Pollution, With IIT Kanpur At Helm

The Delhi government is preparing to conduct five cloud-seeding trials, each involving aircraft operations lasting one to one-and-a-half hours, according to officials.

These trials, aimed at inducing artificial rainfall, will be carried out on separate days and may take place in quick succession depending on weather conditions, reported PTI.

“If suitable weather is observed, we may conduct all five trials within a week or with gaps of a day or two. The schedule will depend on cloud availability,” an official stated.

Cloud-seeding, or artificial rainmaking, involves dispersing specific substances into clouds to stimulate rainfall, provided meteorological conditions are favourable.

IIT Kanpur is overseeing the entire project, from planning to execution, and will select the trial sites based on scientific and logistical parameters.

However, due to safety protocols and airspace restrictions, trials will not take place within central areas of the city such as Lutyens’ Delhi or near the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Therefore, the operations will take place on the outskirts of Delhi, where meteorological conditions will also play a key role.

The Delhi cabinet approved the Rs 3.21 crore project on 7 May, with Rs 2.75 crore allocated for the trials. Rs 55 lakh per trial and Rs 66 lakh earmarked for a one-time setup cost, including equipment calibration and logistics.

The first trial is expected by the end of May or June, subject to necessary approvals and weather conditions.

The government is currently securing no-objection certificates from 13 critical departments, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Defence and the Airports Authority of India.

“This is a scientific intervention aimed at improving air quality during critical pollution periods. It complements our AI-based monitoring and 24x7 surveillance efforts,” said Environment Minister Gopal Rai’s advisor, Reena Gupta Sirsa.

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