The Delhi government is preparing to trial artificial rain by 15 October. The government’s environment department is constantly monitoring atmospheric conditions and has sought update information from the Meteorological Department about the status of monsoon and withdrawal date, so that the civil aviation can be applied for a new time-limit acceptance for cloud-seeding (DGCA).

Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told the media, “The department will test after the return of the monsoon so that it can get the best results. As soon as clear information is received from the Meteorological Department, the DGCA will again write a letter and seek necessary permission to conduct these artificial rain campaigns safely.

Artificial rain will be initiated under strict supervision- Sirsa

Minister Sirsa said that the last deadline will be decided on the basis of the trends of atmospheric data and scientific assessment of the situation of clouds. This active step of the government has been taken towards removing the concerns of falling ground water level and rising air pollution after the monsoon in the national capital. This initiative of artificial rainfall will be done under strict supervision and a detailed report of the Meteorological Department will be helpful in its implementation.

What was the minister Sirsa announced in July?

Earlier, in a press conference held in July, Sirsa announced that the test was postponed due to the arrival of monsoon. The test was postponed by the end of August as the expected results could be affected due to rain. The test to be held between July 4 and July 11 has been re -determined. In view of consultation with meteorological experts and the current weather, the project team proposed the revised period from 30 August to 10 September.

Sirsa further said, “The new period is likely to provide more suitable cloud structures for the cloud-seeding process.” This campaign will be done by the Aerospace Engineering Department of IIT Kanpur, with the experts of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorological Institute (IITM), Pune and India Meteorological Department (IMD), 206-A aircraft (VT-IIT).

Delhi air pollution: Artificial rain will be resorted to to deal with the problem of air pollution in Delhi. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Saturday (June 28) that for the first time in the national capital, there will be artificial rains with the aim of reducing air pollution. Cloud seeding will be done between 4 to 11 July, which will depend on the weather conditions.

According to PTI, Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that IIT Kanpur has presented the flight plan for the seeding operation to IMD Pune for technical co-ordination. The minister said, “The conditions for cloud seeding till 3 July are not correct, but the flight window has been proposed from July 4 to 11.”

Proposal was also sent to DGCA- Sirsa

He said that a proposal has also been sent to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in which the alternative window has been requested in case of adverse weather during the stipulated period so that the testing can be done on the later date. Sirsa said, “This initiative is a historic step in urban pollution control and it is being implemented for the first time by the Department of Environment under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Giving clean air to Delhiites purpose- Sirsa

The Environment Minister of Delhi, while insisting, further said, “Our aim is to give clean air to Delhiites. This is the most fundamental right of every resident and the government is looking for every possible solution to give it. That is why we are taking this bold step of artificial rain. We hope that this will change meaningful.

Saurabh Bhardwaj’s replies to allegations

In response to the allegations of Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj about pollution, Minister Sirsa clarified, “We were the first to sign the memorandum, made all the payment to IIT Kanpur and applied for the necessary approval because we want real action. The AAP did not talk about artificial rain. On the other hand we have worked honestly.

He further said that this is the reason that within just four months of forming the government, we have reached the stage of fixing the first artificial rain date in Delhi. AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj had claimed that the BJP and the Center obstructed the pollution control efforts of the city and had mocked the proposal of artificial rain during extreme pollution in winter.