The Delhi government will be launching its first pilot project for artificial rain through cloud seeding, or artificial rain, to tackle the city's pollution. Cloud-seeding operations will begin as soon as favorable weather conditions are observed. The ₹3.21 crore initiative will be implemented in partnership with IIT-Kanpur and the Delhi government’s Department of Environment. IIT-Kanpur will handle the scientific, technical, and operational aspects of the project.
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."
