Delhi is set to become the first state in India to conduct cloud seeding to reduce air pollution. With approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Delhi government has finalized preparations to artificially induce rainfall between August 30 and September 10, aiming to bring down hazardous PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels from the air.
Initially scheduled for early July, the trials were postponed due to the onset of the monsoon. The decision was revised based on advice from experts at IMD and IITM Pune. During the operation, aircraft will fly over regions such as Alipur, Bawana, Rohini, Burari, Pavi Sadakpur, and parts of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway.
The mission will be led by IIT Kanpur’s aerospace engineering team using a specially equipped VT-IIT (Cessna 206-H) aircraft, capable of executing cloud seeding operations. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that all DGCA protocols and safety measures are being strictly followed.
Key Conditions Set by DGCA for the Trials:
- All flights must operate under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), i.e., only during the day in clear weather.
- No aerial photography or videography is permitted during the flights.
- Aircraft must remain within designated airspace, avoiding restricted zones.
- Advance clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC) is mandatory for each flight.
- Detailed records of the operations must be maintained, and any incidents reported immediately to DGCA.
If successful, this initiative could become a model for other polluted urban regions in India, offering an innovative tool to fight smog and poor air quality.
