New Delhi: In an effort to address the growing air pollution crisis in the national capital, Delhi's Environment Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa has announced a trial run of artificial rain using cloud seeding technology. The trials are expected to begin between the end of August and the first week of September, with five tests scheduled to evaluate its potential in reducing smog, particularly during the Diwali season and in September.

"We have been successful in securing permission for artificial rain through cloud seeding. We will run the trial between the end of August and the first week of September. We will conduct five trials to learn if it could be efficient against the smog that collects during Diwali or in September," he said.

On May 7, the Delhi cabinet approved the plan to conduct artificial rain through cloud seeding, marking a historic move aimed at pollution control. According to a cabinet member, this step has been taken in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.

The project will utilise IIT Kanpur’s aircraft, a Cessna, for the seeding operations. The government intends to carry out the five planned trials on the outskirts of Delhi.

The cost of one artificial rainfall session is estimated at ₹66 lakh, while the operational expenses are expected to be around ₹55 lakh. The total expenditure for the full set of trials could reach ₹2.55 crore.

The initiative forms part of the Delhi government's broader mission to combat pollution and realise its vision for a ‘Viksit Delhi’.

Pollution remains a pressing concern in Delhi, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) often reaching very poor levels. Although several projects have been undertaken in the past to address this issue, none have provided a lasting solution to Delhi's pollution problem.

ANI