Delhi Minister Gopal Rai Says Ready To Bear Cost Of Artificial Rain, Directs Chief Secretary To Prepare Report, Seek Centre’s Nod

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said their government was ready to bear the cost of Rs 13 crore for artificial rain in the national capital, news agency ANI reported. This came a day after Delhi Ministers held a meeting with a team from IIT Kanpur to discuss a plan to induce artificial rain in the national capital.

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Delhi government had been mulling the initiative to bring relief to the people amid choking pollution.

Gopal Rai has given requisite instructions to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar in this regard. The pilot project will be carried out in two phases. The Chief Secretary has been asked to prepare a proposal in coordination with IIT Kanpur and present it before the Supreme Court before the hearing tomorrow.  

He has also been directed to request permission from the Centre and the UP government to materialise the first phase of the pilot project on November 20-21.

IIT Kanpur has been relentlessly working on the artificial rain concept for more than five years and successfully executed a test for the same in July.

Delhi NCR has been reeling under severe pollution for the last few days. Delhi government has announced a winter break for schools from November 9-18 in view of the toxic smog that has shrouded the city. Earlier, Delhi schools were closed from November 3 to November 10 due to the pollution menace.

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Taking strong objection over poor air quality in the national capital, the Supreme Court directed the states of Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to stop the practice of stubble burning at any cost.