As the National Capital’s air pollution crisis has reached an alarming level, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently in the “severe plus” category on Tuesday, the Delhi government is now pressing for cloud seeding to artificially induce rain to dissipate the thick layer of smog, work from home facilities and considering bringing odd even scheme, that could help combat the worsening air quality. The Delhi government has also sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in tackling the issue of air pollution.
Amid Delhi’s worsening air quality, which has plunged into the “severe plus” category with an AQI consistently above 460, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai addressed a press conference accusing the Centre of not acting on their repeated request to allow artificial rain in the national capital. He said that he had written to Union government Bhupender Yadav for the fourth time seeking a joint meeting with stakeholders to get clearances for artificial rain to disperse Delhi’s high pollution.
“Despite repeated requests through letters on August 30, October 10, and October 23, the Union Environment Minister has not taken cognisance of the situation or responded to the Delhi government’s appeals,” Rai said in his latest letter.
He alleged that despite repeated reminders and requests, the Centre was yet to call a meeting to discuss the option. Rai said while the GRAP-IV restrictions are being enforced to tackle the alarming levels of pollution, the thick smog layer engulfing the city can only be broken by wind or rain.
In his letter, Rai proposed that this meeting include the Delhi Government, experts from IIT Kanpur who have conducted research on artificial rain, and key Central Government ministries such as such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Defence along with other relevant departments.
Artificial rain is needed in Delhi as an emergency measure to reduce pollution and help citizens at this juncture. While the Delhi Government is willing to initiate the emergency measure, it needs a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Centre’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Defence Ministry among other agencies.
“After consulting several experts, we believe the time has come to use artificial rain to break this layer of smog in Delhi,” he said. “Delhi cannot get relief from pollution unless we break the smog layer. Cloud seeding can help mitigate the crisis and provide immediate relief to citizens,” Rai said. Emphasising the urgency of the current situation, Rai said in his letter, “I request the Union Environment Minister to convene an emergency meeting with all stakeholders, including IIT Kanpur and relevant central agencies, to fast-track the clearances required for artificial rain.”
This cloud seeding technique, which involves the aerial dispersion of salt particles like silver iodide or chloride into clouds to induce rain, is being considered as a potential solution to the city’s dire air quality issues. While the concept of cloud seeding is not new, its effectiveness in combating air pollution remains a subject of debate among experts. The method’s success hinges on optimal atmospheric conditions, including adequate moisture and humidity in the clouds, and the presence of specific cloud types that grow vertically.
The high cost and uncertainty of outcomes also raise questions about the viability of this approach as a sustainable solution to air pollution. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential environmental impacts of altering natural processes through cloud seeding. Experts emphasise the need for more research to understand the long-term effects of this intervention and call for a multi-disciplinary approach to policy formulation in this area.
He also said that the government is in talks with experts to enforce emergency measures like odd-even and work-from-home options if the pollution levels in Delhi continue to remain in the severe-plus zone-above 450-in the coming days. Delhi is not new to the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme. First implemented in 2016, the AAP government’s initiative aimed to control vehicular emissions in the city by only allowing private vehicles whose registration number ends with an odd number to ply on odd dates and even registration numbers to ply on even dates. Vehicles with registration numbers ending in even digits (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) are allowed on the roads on even dates, while those with registration numbers ending in odd digits (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are permitted on odd dates.
“A decision on implementing work-from-home measures and the odd-even scheme will be taken soon to tackle the city’s worsening air quality,” Rai said. He said, “People, including children and senior citizens, are struggling to breathe and we deeply regret this situation.” On the possibility of implementing work-from-home measures, Rai stated, “We will take a decision on this soon.”
The minister added that the government has already imposed significant restrictions on vehicles under GRAP-IV. “We are analysing the impact of these measures. If the analysis shows a positive outcome, we will take further decisions accordingly,” he said.
