CM Rekha Gupta announces Delhi to test Cloud Seeding in early October to reduce Winter Pollution

Government signs MoU with IIT Kanpur for first-ever artificial rain trials targeting north and north-west Delhi

New Delhi, 25 September 2025- In a major step to combat air pollution, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta today signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur at the Delhi Secretariat to conduct Cloud Seeding trials over Delhi, in the presence of Environment Minister  Manjinder Singh Sirsa. The first trials are planned for 7–11 October, targeting north and north-west Delhi. The operations will use IIT Kanpur’s Cessna aircraft, which will take off from Hindon Air Base. The project is expected to cost around Rs 3.5 crore.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said,

“We have worked on every possible way to reduce pollution – from mechanical road sweeping, anti-smog guns on high-rise buildings, and mist sprayers in pollution hotspots, to strict dust control measures. Now, we are adding cloud seeding to provide relief to citizens during the peak winter pollution period. These will be Delhi’s first artificial rain trials for pollution control and a historic milestone for our city.”

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “This is a pilot project to test and evaluate cloud seeding as a tool to reduce pollution in Delhi. It’s not just an agreement on paper; it’s a historic step in the city’s journey towards cleaner air.”

He explained the plan, “Five trials are scheduled to start on 7 October and will continue within the 7–11 October window, depending on weather conditions. The first trials will focus on north and north-west Delhi. Each following trial will be planned based on the weather and results from the earlier operations. The aircraft is fully equipped and will be operated by trained pilots to ensure safety and effectiveness.”

The Delhi Government has completed extensive preparations to carry out the trials safely. Approvals were obtained from 13 different agencies, including aviation, defence, home, environment, and airport authorities, along with district-level clearances and meteorological inputs. The coordination covered all aspects of flight safety, site readiness at Hindon Air Base and target areas, and regulatory compliance, allowing DGCA permission for the October trials.

This Cloud Seeding project is part of Delhi’s broader, multi-layered strategy to tackle winter smog and protect public health, alongside existing measures like dust control, road sweeping, and anti-smog technology.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}