Cabinet Gives Nod To Cloud Seeding Trials

New Delhi: The Delhi cabinet on Wednesday passed a decision to conduct cloud seeding trials in the national capital to mitigate pollution. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by CM Rekha Gupta.Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that each cloud-seeding trial would cost 55 lakh. "In addition, there will be a one-time setup cost of 66 lakh for equipment calibration, logistics and preparatory arrangements. Thus, the total project outlay stands at nearly 3.2 crore," he added.Cloud seeding, or artificial rain, is a weather-modification technique that introduces substances into the air to aggregate and condense moisture particles into rain. It helps the environment by potentially increasing precipitation, mitigating droughts and improving air quality.The environment minister said that IIT Kanpur would oversee the planning, execution and management of these trials. Govt will transfer funds directly to the institute for these activities.The first trial is scheduled for the end of May or June, depending on permissions, which will cover 100 sq kilometres, targeting the outskirts of Delhi. "There will be five trials conducted. After the initial test, comprehensive scientific evaluations will be conducted to assess the effectiveness and environmental impact of the cloud-seeding operations," Sirsa said.Sirsa said that govt would obtain necessary no-objection certificates from 13 key departments concerned. "This initiative complements our ongoing efforts, including AI-based monitoring and 24x7 surveillance at pollution hotspots."The environment minister said that the previous govt only talked about artificial rain but was never able to execute it because "it had no intentions of giving respite to the people". "However, BJP govt is committed to ensuring that Delhiites get cleaner air in winter. Delhi experiences periods of severe air pollution, particularly during winter months when weather conditions trap pollutants. These spells are often characterised by high levels of PM2.5 and other pollutants, causing significant health risks," he added.The effectiveness of cloud seeding in improving air quality remains a point of debate among scientists. Some studies suggest that cloud seeding can modestly increase rainfall, but the impact on air pollution is less clear. While it may help temporarily reduce particulate matter in the air, it does not address the root causes of pollution, such as industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and construction dust.Experts caution that cloud seeding should not be viewed as a permanent solution to Delhi's air quality issues. The technique is not universally effective and depends on certain atmospheric conditions, such as the presence of clouds with sufficient moisture.