IIT Kanpur to Lead Operations; Flights to Be Carried Out on Delhi’s Outskirts
New Delhi, May 12 — In a significant move to combat air pollution, the Delhi government is set to conduct five cloud-seeding trials, each lasting approximately one to one-and-a-half hours, an official confirmed on Monday. The trials aim to artificially induce rainfall by dispersing chemicals into clouds under favourable weather conditions.The initiative, backed by the Delhi Cabinet’s approval on May 7, comes with a total project outlay of Rs 3.21 crore, including Rs 2.75 crore for trial operations at Rs 55 lakh per flight, and Rs 66 lakh for setup costs such as equipment calibration and logistics.
Trials Dependent on Weather; Could Be Conducted Within a Week
An official from the Environment Department stated that all five trials could be carried out in quick succession, depending on cloud availability and suitable weather. “If the conditions are right, we may complete all trials within a week or with short gaps,” the official said.Flight Operations to Be Conducted Outside Core City Zones
The trials will not be conducted within central areas like Lutyens' Delhi or near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, due to airspace and safety concerns. Instead, the outskirts of Delhi have been identified as potential sites for operation, subject to real-time meteorological assessments.IIT Kanpur is spearheading the scientific and logistical aspects of the project, including site selection and execution.
First Trial Likely by End of May or June
According to the official, the first flight is expected to be conducted by the end of May or June, with the schedule soon to be finalized. The process of obtaining no-objection certificates (NOCs) from 13 key departments, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Ministry of Defence, and the Airports Authority of India, is currently underway.Clean Air Commitment Reinforced
Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai's advisor, Gurpreet Kaur Sirsa, emphasized the significance of the trials as a scientific solution for pollution mitigation. “This is a scientific intervention aimed at improving air quality during critical pollution periods. It complements our AI-based monitoring and 24x7 surveillance efforts,” Sirsa said.The initiative reflects Delhi’s growing reliance on advanced technology, including AI and environmental science, to address the city’s chronic air pollution problem.