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CM Rekha Gupta and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa (centre) after signing the MoU on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
New Delhi
The Delhi government on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to conduct cloud seeding trials as an emergency measure to combat rising air pollution.
The first phase of the trial is scheduled between October 7 and 11 in north and north-west Delhi. Operations will be carried out using IIT Kanpur’s Cessna 206H aircraft from the Hindon airbase at an estimated cost of ₹3.5 crore. Based on the results, the government will decide the future course of action.
A senior government official explained that the aircraft will fly beneath cloud cover and spray silver iodide, which interacts with existing water droplets to make them heavier and condense as rain.
‘Delhi’s first trials’
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, took part in the signing of the MoU.
Ms. Gupta told reporters that the government is deploying every possible measure to curb pollution. “From mechanical road sweeping, using anti-smog guns and mist sprayers to strict dust control, we have taken multiple steps. Now, we are adding cloud seeding to provide relief during peak winter pollution. These will be Delhi’s first artificial rain trials, a historic milestone for the city,” she said.
Mr. Sirsa confirmed that five trial operations are planned within the October 7-11 window, depending on weather conditions.
“The aircraft is fully equipped, flown by trained pilots, and every operation will be assessed before moving to the next,” the Minister said.
He also said approvals have been secured from 13 government agencies, including Aviation, Defence, Home, and Environment, as well as district administrations and meteorological bodies.
‘Letters not enough’
Mr. Sirsa criticised the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, saying writing letters was not enough and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government worked to obtain all permissions. He added that IIT Kanpur has secured approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to conduct trials between October 1 and November 30.
Efforts to introduce artificial rain in Delhi have been under discussion for years. The previous AAP government had initiated talks with IIT Kanpur, but the plan stalled, with then Environment Minister Gopal Rai alleging that the Centre did not respond to repeated requests for permissions. The BJP, after coming to power in February this year, revived the proposal. Trials were initially planned for July and later September, but both were postponed.
‘Temporary measure’
Despite the preparations for trials, experts have raised doubts over the move. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director at the Centre for Science and Environment, said artificial rain is an “expensive temporary measure”.
“Even if there is some rain, pollution levels will bounce back quickly during winter. We should focus on long-term solutions to reduce pollution at the sources,” she said.
Ms. Roychowdhury said funds earmarked for these experiments should instead go towards ground-level implementation of emission reduction measures across sectors.
Published – September 26, 2025 01:48 am IST
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