On Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, urging him to convene an urgent emergency meeting with the Delhi Government, IIT Kanpur, and relevant central agencies to seek clearance for cloud seeding as a measure to tackle pollution in Delhi.
Gopal Rai stated, “Time has come to carry out artificial rainfall to break the layer of smog. The Government of Delhi with the help of IIT Kanpur has last year explored cloud seeding as an emergency measure to artificially induce rain and reduce air pollution during such critical periods. This year we started preparations in August to carry out cloud seeding. Despite several requests meeting was not held earlier.”
He pointed out that without addressing the smog layer, efforts to mitigate pollution would remain ineffective.
“We are continuously working. We have banned BS-III petrol four wheelers, BS-IV diesel vehicles. All trucks, diesel buses coming from outside have been banned. Schools have been closed for 10th and 12th as well. Thirdly, timings have been staggered for offices. About work from home, we are also working on that. A decision will be taken soon. We will also implement that. We are working on all the things that are in our hands and we will continue to do so. The layer of smog has to be broken,” Rai highlighted.
Urgency For Action
Additionally, Gopal Rai requested an urgent meeting with the Union Environment Minister.
“We are trying to reduce the layer of smog. We are seeking an emergency meeting with the Union Environment Minister so that we can take all actions on the ground. Also discussing odd-even but now experts are saying that we have imposed so many restrictions, people are now considering how much of an impact it will have,” he further added.
The Minister also stressed that the pollutant particles mixed with the smog, exacerbating the crisis.
Rai asserted, “We are reducing the sources. The smog can be broken only if wind speed increase or there is rain. In NCR people are breaking GRAP rules. Once the smog is broken AQI will reduce to 350.”
The air quality in Delhi has remained in the ‘severe’ category for several days, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 400 µg/m3, far surpassing the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 15 µg/m3 for 24-hour exposure. In response to the ongoing crisis, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage-IV of the GRAP, which has led to restrictions such as the suspension of truck entry and a halt to public construction activities.
Rai reiterated that breaking the smog layer is essential for improving Delhi’s air quality, and the city will continue to take necessary steps to address the environmental emergency.
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