Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Sunday urged the Centre to give permission for artificial rain during winter, when air quality levels in the city plummet, stating that the problem of pollution in the city can only be solved through teamwork.
Addressing a press conference, Rai said though the Delhi government has taken several steps to address the problem, pollution levels in and around the national capital spike in November. "An emergency situation arises in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Kejriwal government is working to reduce the pollution levels. Ever since our government came to power, the pollution levels have declined," he said, adding that although November witnesses a spike in pollution levels
"Last year, IIT-Kanpur submitted a proposal that artificial rain or a cloud seeding experiment could be done in Delhi. They said that financial management and security permissions were needed. Last year, there was very little time so permissions could not come through. We held a meeting with experts and I wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and sought the Centre's help," he added.
Rai said he has requested a meeting with central agencies and IIT Kanpur experts to discuss the proposal for artificial rain.
"In order to use the technology for Delhi, permission is required from Ministry of Defence, Home Ministry, SPG, Government of Delhi, Airports Authority of India, IMD, CPCB, ASI, BCAS and the Uttar Pradesh government.
We are ready to give money and permission from our end but we need the Centre's support," he said.
Rai wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav last week, urging the Centre to convene a meeting with all stakeholders for evaluating the feasibility of cloud seeding for artificially inducing rain in Delhi to combat the winter air pollution.
He said tackling the issue of pollution requires teamwork and support from the Centre and neighbouring states. Citing various measures, including procurement of electric buses and increasing the green cover, taken by the Delhi government to bring down pollution in the city, he said, "If the other two parties have suggestions for reducing pollution, we will be happy to implement them," referring to the BJP and the Congress.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that he is frustrated by the falling graph of the AAP government and his own neglect within the party.
Claiming that he is completely desperate after facing public opposition in Babarpur assembly, Kapoor alleged,
“In this desperation, he is trying to stay in the news by making statements and writing letters on pollution.â€
He said that Rai should first clarify when he wrote a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding stubble burning or met him on it.
