In an effort to combat the worsening air pollution in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Tuesday that the government is actively pursuing measures for artificial rain, pending approval from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) based on favorable weather conditions. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve the city’s environment.
Furthermore, the government is making significant strides in promoting electric vehicles. Chief Minister Gupta highlighted a key target: the deployment of 10,000 electric buses by 2027. To support this transition, the city is prioritizing the installation of public and semi-public charging stations across Delhi.
The announcement comes amid a thick smog that enveloped Delhi, pushing its Air Quality Index (AQI) to 351, categorized as ‘Very Poor.’ Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reiterated the government’s commitment to cloud seeding, emphasizing that the process is contingent on the availability of clouds.
Sirsa also provided context on recent pollution levels, comparing them to previous years. He noted that despite a ban on firecrackers in 2024, the AQI saw an increase, but the rise was relatively contained, particularly when green firecrackers were permitted. He stated that the AQI increased by only 11 points after Diwali celebrations this year.