Delhi to Begin Cloud-Seeding Trials with IIT-Kanpur to Fight Pollution

The Delhi government has launched a ₹3.21 crore project in partnership with IIT Kanpur to conduct five cloud-seeding trials aimed at reducing air pollution through artificial rain.

  • Budget: ₹3.21 crore (₹2.75 crore for trials, ₹66 lakh for setup)

  • Supervised by: IIT Kanpur

  • Target Area: 100 sq km on Delhi’s outskirts

  • First Trial: Expected by June 2025

  • Monitoring: AI-based 24×7 pollution tracking

  • Goal: Trigger rainfall, reduce pollution, and assess feasibility as an emergency measure

The project awaits clearance from 13 regulatory bodies, including the DGCA and Ministries of Defence and Environment.