Air Pollution: Delhi Govt seeks Centre’s approval for artificial rain

New Delhi, Nov 19: With Delhi’s air quality reaching alarming levels, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday called on the central government to convene an emergency meeting to address the ongoing pollution crisis and reiterated the Delhi government’s request for approval to use artificial rain as a potential solution. Rai emphasized that it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “moral responsibility” to intervene in the matter.

Addressing the media, Rai stated that despite repeated requests from the Delhi government, the Centre has not yet acted on allowing artificial rain in the city. “Delhi is currently under GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) Stage IV restrictions. We are taking all possible steps to reduce vehicular and industrial pollution, including imposing restrictions on private vehicles and trucks. However, the pollution levels remain dangerously high,” Rai said.

He mentioned that the Delhi government has been consulting with specialists to explore potential solutions to clear the thick smog engulfing the city, with artificial rain being one of the key measures under consideration. Artificial rain could help settle airborne pollutants and improve air quality, he explained.

Rai further criticized the Union Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, for not responding to the Delhi government’s repeated appeals for an urgent meeting to discuss the matter. “If the central government is unable to act on this critical issue, then their environment minister should resign,” Rai remarked, expressing frustration over the lack of action from the Centre.

The Delhi minister also emphasized that Prime Minister Modi should take immediate action to address the pollution crisis. “It is the Prime Minister’s moral responsibility to step in and help resolve this dire situation,” he added.

Rai revealed that he is drafting another letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, urging him to convene an emergency meeting with experts, including those from IIT Kanpur, who have conducted extensive research on artificial rain. He noted that the implementation of such a solution would require the approval and coordination of several central departments.

Rai also called for the nationwide implementation of the GRAP guidelines, citing non-compliance by BJP-led states. “The GRAP-IV restrictions will remain in place as long as the pollution persists. We will not offer any relaxations,” he asserted.