Delhi Approves ₹3.21 Crore Cloud-Seeding Trials to Combat Air Pollution
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| News Event | Delhi Cabinet approves ₹3.21 crore project for cloud-seeding trials in NCR |
| Date of Approval | May 8, 2025 |
| Key Stakeholders | Delhi Environment Department, IIT Kanpur |
| Chief Minister | Rekha Gupta |
| Budget Breakdown | ₹2.75 crore for five trials, ₹66 lakh for setup costs |
| Target Area | 100 sq km on the outskirts of Delhi |
| Trial Timeline | First trial expected by May/June 2025 |
| Monitoring | AI-based surveillance and 24×7 monitoring at pollution hotspots |
| Objective | Reduce air pollution through artificial rainfall, enhance precipitation |
| Clearances Required | 13 clearances including DGCA, MoD, MHA, MoEFCC, AAI |
| Background | Cloud seeding involves dispersing chemicals like silver iodide into clouds |
| Significance | Pioneering effort to tackle Delhi's pollution crisis using technology |