New Delhi: The Delhi government, which has repeatedly said that it is exploring artificial rain Sent a letter requesting a detailed proposal, as an emergency solution to the city’s pollution problem IIT Kanpur In October, an RTI reply said.
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However, on an RTI query filed by a city-based environmental activist, the Delhi government Environment Department has said that it has not yet received a reply from IIT Kanpur.
The Environment Department has requested IIT Kanpur, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, to submit a detailed proposal for a pilot project initiative of artificial rain. cloud seeding Through letter dated October 7, 2024 in Delhi. No response has been received from IIT Kanpur yet, the Delhi government’s response to an RTI query filed by activist Amit Gupta said.
IIT Kanpur said that although the institute received the proposal, it did not send any reply as a similar proposal was sent to the Delhi government last year. An IIT Kanpur professor associated with the project said that the Delhi government has not yet taken permission for cloud seeding. “Yes, a detailed proposal was sought, but we had told it last year itself… we will not send it again. Certain permissions are required to pursue cloud seeding, and it seems that no action has been taken on this Last year, we had sent everything around Diwali, we have the setup ready,” said Professor Manindra Agarwal, director of IIT Kanpur.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, who wrote the fourth letter to the Union Environment Minister on artificial rain on Tuesday, had earlier told TOI that the Centre’s silence was behind the delay in the project.
Rai had earlier written a letter to Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav requesting to hold the meeting twice in August and October. In his letter on Tuesday, Rai asked Yadav why the Delhi government had earlier collaborated with IIT Kanpur to explore the option of artificial rain as an emergency measure to reduce pollution during the crisis. period, which states that prior approval will be required from various agencies.
Rai further said, “I once again request you to immediately coordinate with Delhi Government, IIT Kanpur and all Central Government departments like DGCA, MHA, Ministry of Defense etc. involved in issuing NOC/approval for cloud seeding operations. Call a meeting.” ,
However, CPCB sources said the ministry consulted IITM, IMD, CPCB and CAQM on the issue and responded to the opinion in October and to the DPCC in September regarding uncertainties regarding chemicals used in cloud seeding. More information was sought and a response is still awaited. “There were concerns over uncertainties and possible adverse effects of cloud seeding chemicals. Thus, DPCC was requested to send a detailed proposal. This is still awaited. Union Minister Yadav to Delhi Minister Rai on October 30 A reply was also sent. Since the DPCC did not respond, the CAQM was asked to hold a meeting with the stakeholders,” said an official on condition of anonymity.