On Wednesday, the Delhi cabinet, under CM Rekha Gupta, approved a ₹3.21 crore project for conducting five cloud seeding trials across the national capital region to fight pollution. The first trial will be held by the end of the month or in the first few days of June in the outskirts after required clearances are obtained, according to an official statement by the environment department. The approval process consists of 13 interministerial and agency clearances, which will include NOCs (no objection certificates) from authorities such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Airport Authority of India. 

First Trials By the End of the Month

The first phase of the trial is set to target a 100 km² area along the city’s outskirts and will incur a cost of ₹55 lakh. Delhi Environmental Minister Sirsa said that there will be a one-time set-up cost of ₹66 lakh, including aircraft calibration, chemical storage, logistics and other preparations. Sirsa also highlighted the use of AI-based monitoring. “We are committed to exploring cloud seeding as a contingency option during the critical pollution period. The initiative complements are ongoing efforts, including AI-based monitoring and 24*7 surveillance at pollution hotspots.”

“Post-trial, scientific evaluation will assess the effectiveness and environmental impact of cloud seeding in reducing air pollution,” reads a statement by the environment ministry.

For the trial project, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, has been appointed as the implementing and evaluating agency.