In a bid to control the incessantly worsening air quality of the national capital owing to an unprecedented level of air pollution, the Delhi government is all set to approach the Supreme Court on Friday to discuss the possibility of artificial rainfall through cloud seeding.As per media reports, the artificial method, which comprises two phases, will cost around Rs 13 crore.
It has been reported that Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai instructed the city's chief secretary to submit a proposal through an affidavit before the hearing in the apex court tomorrow.Moreover, the Chief Secretary has also been directed to ask the top court to obtain necessary approvals from the central government and the Uttar Pradesh government by November 15 so that the pilot study of the first phase of artificial rain can be conducted on November 20 and 21.
Earlier on Wesdnesday, Gopal Rai convened a meeting with a team from IIT Kanpur privy with the matter to discuss the possibility of implementing the method following which it was ascertained that artificial rain could be used in Delhi on November 20-21 if the weather is cloudy.
It has been learnt that the IIT Kanpur team said at least 40 percent clouds are required for the pilot study to be successful. The institution estimated that there is a possibility of clouds in Delhi around November 20 and 21.
Meanwhile, the overall air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the 'severe' category on Thursday morning. The city's overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 421 at 6 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
