Govt seeks plans to curb pollution

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has written to all Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) seeking scientific and technological solutions to combat Delhi's persistent air pollution, officials said.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

NEW DELHI: The cloud seeding trials at five locations in the Capital are expected to be carried out towards the end of this month; however, the spots will be fixed depending on clouds and moisture, officials said on Monday. Lutyens' Delhi and the area around the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport will be avoided for security reasons, they added.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that improves cloud ability to produce rain, in order to tackle pollution. The trials will take place on separate days. "The idea is to do trials in locations where there are ample clouds and sufficient moisture. So, it is not feasible to fix locations beforehand. The five locations will depend on moisture availability and pre-existing cloud formation," Manindra Agarwal from IIT Kanpur, said. The Delhi government has tasked the institution to carry out artificial rain trials.

The Delhi Cabinet on May 7 approved a proposal to conduct five cloud-seeding trials, with a total project outlay of ₹3.21 crore.