The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday raised concerns over the Delhi government’s recent cloud seeding trial in north Delhi’s Burari, accusing authorities of conducting the exercise without informing local residents or public representatives.
Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha said the trial ignored standard procedures and lacked transparency. “Not a single resident was informed, and I, as the local MLA, learned about it only after the fact. No one saw the aircraft involved,” he told reporters.
Jha criticised the government for treating the event differently from high-profile occasions such as the arrival of Rafale jets or Cheetah helicopters. He also highlighted potential risks, saying the chemicals used could harm crops and people, and demanded a detailed report on the amount and type of chemicals released.
He questioned the choice of Burari for the experiment, pointing out that the area has a large migrant population. “Why target north Delhi? Can pollution across the city be controlled by a trial in just one area?” Jha asked, calling the decision insensitive and urging the government to share a full impact analysis.
There was no immediate response from the Delhi government regarding the allegations.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the city is preparing for its first-ever artificial rain through cloud seeding, calling it a major step in combating pollution. “Preparations have been completed, and a successful trial was conducted in Burari,” she said on X.
According to the Chief Minister, cloudy conditions are expected between October 28 and 30, with Delhi likely to experience its first artificial rain on October 29 if the weather remains favourable. She described the initiative as a scientific and innovative approach to improving air quality in the capital.
Officials said the trial involved releasing small amounts of silver iodide and sodium chloride from an aircraft. However, rainfall did not occur due to low moisture levels, below 20 per cent.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa added that the proving flight, operated by IIT Kanpur, tested the system’s endurance and coordination among agencies, covering areas including Meerut, Khekra, Burari and Aligarh.
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Published By:
Priyanka Kumari
Published On:
Oct 24, 2025
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