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News18
2 days ago
- Science
- News18
Delhi Set To 'Water Down' Pollution Problem, First Artificial Rain Pilot To Take Off Soon
Last Updated: The pilot project will be executed in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, which will provide all the scientific, technical, and operational support for this intervention The Delhi government is ready to commence an artificial rain pilot project with all necessary scientific systems and clearances in place to fight the capital's persistent air pollution problem. The cloud seeding flights will start as soon as suitable weather conditions—especially cloud moisture and depth—are observed over targeted zones, the Delhi government announced on Wednesday. The pilot—"Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation"—will be executed in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, which will provide all the scientific, technical, and operational support for this intervention. In addition, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also formally conveyed its support for the project, confirming meteorological feasibility over the National Capital Region (NCR). The IMD also agreed to provide real-time data on cloud type, altitude, wind conditions, and dew point to aid planning. Cloud Seeding: The Science and Process For the artificial rains, IIT Kanpur will deploy specially equipped Cessna aircraft with flare-based seeding systems using a proprietary formulation made of silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt. A maximum of five sorties are planned, with each flight covering 100 sq km and lasting at least 1 hour and 30 minutes over non-sensitive zones of northwest and outer Delhi, excluding restricted airspace. Final flight plan clearance is still pending and will be needed and obtained later. Real-time impact on air quality (PM2.5 and PM10) will be measured using Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) placed in and around the seeding zones. IIT Kanpur has already conducted seven successful in-house cloud seeding experiments between April and July in drought-prone regions using the same aircraft and flare systems. 'This pilot project in Delhi builds on those trials with a specific focus on pollution mitigation. The idea is not just to induce rain but to evaluate if such precipitation meaningfully reduces particulate matter concentration in ambient air. The project will contribute to a body of evidence for potential future use in other polluted urban regions," the government said. Nimbostratus (Ns) clouds are the most suitable for seeding experiments, usually between 500 and 6,000 metres above ground level. Clouds will have 50% or higher moisture content. IIT Kanpur has developed a custom seeding mixture containing pure nanoparticles of silver iodide, powdered rock salt, iodised salt, and a free-flowing agent that combines hygroscopic and glaciogenic cloud-seeding capabilities. Seeding mixture requirements will vary according to moisture content. The total estimated cost of the pilot project is Rs 3.21 crore and is being fully funded by Delhi's Department of Environment. This initiative underscores Delhi's resolve to harness cutting-edge science to deliver cleaner air and a healthier environment for its residents. 'Right to Clean Air' Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said when they speak about 'Right to Clean Air", they mean it. 'From anti-smog guns and sprinklers to strict dust mitigation norms at construction sites, we are pushing every boundary… This pilot project is not just about artificial rain; it's about scientific courage and environmental justice," he said. top videos View All The minister said all preparations are complete except a few minor operational clearances. 'Now, we're just waiting for the right clouds to appear. The moment the weather cooperates, Delhi will witness its first artificial rain. We are not just fighting pollution—we are building a blueprint for the future," he said. About the Author Nivedita Singh tags : air pollution artificial rain cloud seeding delhi Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 19, 2025, 00:25 IST News cities Delhi Set To 'Water Down' Pollution Problem, First Artificial Rain Pilot To Take Off Soon
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
‘All clearances in place for artificial rain pilot'
New Delhi: Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday said the artificial rain pilot is ready for execution, with all scientific systems and clearances in place. He mentioned that the cloud seeding flights will commence when suitable weather conditions—especially cloud moisture and depth—are observed over targeted zones. "All preparations are complete except for a few minor operational clearances. Now, we're just waiting for the right clouds to appear. The moment the weather cooperates, Delhi will witness its first artificial rain. This is a national-first experiment rooted in science, executed with military-grade precision, and evaluated in real time," Sirsa said. India Meteorological Department has confirmed cloud feasibility and will provide real-time data on cloud type, altitude, wind conditions, and dew point to aid planning. As the pilot project will be executed in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, the institute will deploy specially equipped Cessna aircraft with flare-based seeding systems using a proprietary formulation made of Silver Iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt. A maximum of five sorties are planned, with each flight covering 100 sq km and lasting at least 1 hour and 30 minutes over non-sensitive zones of northwest and outer Delhi. "Flights will avoid restricted airspace such as VIP-89 (Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament, PM residence), as per standard aviation protocol. However, real-time impact on air quality (PM2.5 and PM10) will be measured using Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) placed in and around the seeding zones," Sirsa added. TNN
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Delhi Gets Nod For First-Ever Artificial Rain Pilot Project
The Delhi government is set to execute its first-ever artificial rain pilot, with all scientific systems and clearances in place. As per the environment ministry, the cloud seeding flights will commence as soon as suitable weather conditions, especially cloud moisture and depth, are observed over targeted zones. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has formally conveyed its support for the project, confirming meteorological feasibility over the National Capital Region (NCR). The pilot, titled "Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation," will be executed in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, which will provide the scientific, technical and operational backbone for this intervention. "All preparations are complete except few minor operational clearances. Now, we're just waiting for the right clouds to appear. The moment the weather cooperates, Delhi will witness its first artificial rain. We are not just fighting pollution-we are building a blueprint for the future. This is a national-first experiment rooted in science, executed with military-grade precision, and evaluated in real time," Delhi's environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. He added, "When we say 'Right to Clean Air', we mean it. From anti-smog guns and sprinklers to strict dust mitigation norms at construction sites, we are pushing every boundary - and now even the skies - for our people. This pilot project is not just about artificial rain, it's about scientific courage and environmental justice." Key Features Of The Pilot Project: IMD has confirmed cloud feasibility and will provide real-time data on cloud type, altitude, wind conditions and dew point to aid planning. IIT Kanpur will deploy specially-equipped Cessna aircraft with flare-based seeding systems using a proprietary formulation made of silver iodide nanoparticles, iodized salt, rock salt and a free-flowing agent that combines hygroscopic and glaciogenic cloud-seeding capabilities. Seeding mixture requirement will vary according to moisture content. A maximum of five sorties are planned, with each flight covering 100 sq. km and last at least 1 hour and 30 minutes over non-sensitive zones of northwest and outer Delhi. Flights will avoid restricted airspace, as per standard aviation protocol. Real-time impact on air quality (PM2.5 and PM10) will be measured using Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) placed in and around the seeding zones. Major clearances have been obtained. Only minor approvals, such as final flight plan clearance, remain. IIT Kanpur has previously conducted seven successful in-house cloud seeding experiments between April and July in drought-prone regions using the same aircraft and flare systems. This pilot project in Delhi builds on those trials with a specific focus on pollution mitigation. The idea is not just to induce rain, but to evaluate if such precipitation meaningfully reduces particulate matter concentration in ambient air. The project will contribute to a body of evidence for potential future use in other polluted urban regions. Nimbostratus clouds are the most suitable for seeding experiments, usually between 500 to 6,000 meters above ground level (AGL). According to the officials, the total estimated cost of the pilot project is Rs 3.21 crore and is being fully funded by the Department of Environment, GNCTD.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Living near coal plants? You may be inhaling 10 times more sulphur dioxide, says IIT Delhi study
New Delhi: If you live near a coal-fired power plant, the air you breathe may carry ten times more sulphur dioxide than in areas far from such facilities, a new study by IIT Delhi has found. The report reveals that cities located within 10 kilometres of thermal power plants recorded an annual average SO₂ concentration of 16.4 micrograms per cubic metre, sharply higher than the 1.5 micrograms recorded in cities beyond 25 kilometres. The study, conducted by the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at IIT Delhi, categorised cities into three groups based on their distance from thermal power plants and analysed SO₂ concentrations using Central Pollution Control Board's Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) data between 2019 and 2022. The findings show a consistent trend of rising sulphur dioxide levels in cities that are closer to coal-fired units. 'Results indicate that cities in closer proximity to thermal power plants have significantly higher annual average SO₂ concentrations,' the report said. The analysis attributes this disparity to direct emissions from coal-based thermal units, where pollution control technologies like flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) are either absent or yet to be implemented. The findings come at a time when implementation deadlines for sulphur dioxide emission standards, initially finalised in 2015, have been extended to as late as 2027 in several regions. The report adds that thermal power plants located near dense population centres should be prioritised for early installation of emission control systems to reduce exposure levels. The study aims to support policymakers in refining location-based emission strategies and emphasises the need for urgent intervention in coal plant clusters situated near large urban populations.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Delhi to get six new air quality monitoring stations by August
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has floated tenders for the supply, installation, and commissioning of six new continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS), which will also be operated and maintained by the winning bidders for the next 10 years. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said a deadline of August has been set for installing the new stations, which are expected to be fully functional ahead of the winter pollution season. 'We are on track to complete installation by August. The stations will be operationalised soon after,' Sirsa told HT. He added that all six sites have been identified and will be handed over to the selected vendors in time for construction and equipment setup. Once installed, they will take the total number of air monitoring stations in the Capital from 40 to 46. While Sirsa had earlier stated on April 15 that the stations would be ready by June 30, the deadline now appears to have shifted to August. HT had reported on April 26 that the proposed sites for the new stations are in relatively green areas, which may skew Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) downward. Of the six, three are planned within lush institutional campuses — Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in south Delhi, and Netaji Subhash University (West Campus). Another is to be set deep inside the Central Ridge forest at the ISRO Earth Station near Malcha Mahal, while the remaining two are slated for Delhi Cantonment and the Commonwealth Games Sports Complex in east Delhi. An environment department official said the sites will be handed over free of encumbrances, though it will be the bidder's responsibility to ensure connectivity and basic utilities such as power, telephone, and internet. 'DPCC will assist with documentation, but the onus of making the sites functional lies with the operator,' the official added. Of the city's existing 40 stations, 24 are currently managed by DPCC, while the rest are handled by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). All six new stations will fall under DPCC's domain but be maintained by third-party operators.
