Amid social media chatter about artificial rain in Delhi, minister clarifies

Delhi NCR residents today woke up to a pleasant morning after battling severe air pollution over the past one week as light rain brought down AQI levels. The much-needed downpour washed away toxic air pollutants that had troubled the region for days. On social media, discussions arose about whether this sudden rains were due to artificial rain, referencing proposals from IIT Kanpur.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai clarified that though the Aam Aadmi Party government had presented the proposal of artificial rain to the Supreme Court, it requires a lot of permissions. Speaking to NDTV, the minister said: "A number of permissions are required for artificial rain. It cannot be done in a day."

The minister said the rains have brought down the pollution levels but the government would be closely monitoring the air quality levels over the next few days. If artificial rains are needed and if the court approves, the government will make preparations towards it.


The Delhi government today decided to defer the implementation of odd-even car rationing scheme, which was supposed to come into effect from from November 13 to November 20. The minister said that the government will review the air quality situation after Diwali and a call on the odd-even scheme may be taken if there's a sudden dip in air quality. The Supreme Court had earlier questioned the effectiveness of the Delhi government's car-rationing scheme, aimed at curbing vehicular pollution, and referred to it as "all optics".



Meanwhile, Press Trust of India, citing a top official, reported that the Delhi government has decided to bear the entire cost of artificial rain to combat hazardous air pollution in the city.

"In a significant development, the Delhi government has decided to bear the cost of artificial rain that could be made to happen by November 20 if the Centre extends its support to the Delhi government," said a senior government functionary told PTI. Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has been directed to coordinate with the IIT-Kanpur team and the central ministries and agencies for the artificial rain project and submit the proposal before the Supreme Court.