Cloud seeding in Delhi has emerged as a beacon of hope in the capital’s relentless battle against air pollution. On May 7, 2025, the Delhi Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved a Rs 3.21 crore project to conduct five cloud seeding trials across the National Capital Region (NCR). This pioneering initiative, overseen by IIT Kanpur, aims to induce artificial rain to wash away airborne pollutants, offering relief to millions choking in Delhi’s toxic smog. With the first trial slated for May-June 2025, covering 100 square kilometers on the city’s outskirts, this move marks a bold, science-driven step toward cleaner air.
Delhi’s air quality crisis is no secret. The city, ranked the world’s most polluted capital for six consecutive years in the 2024 World Air Quality Report, grapples with PM2.5 levels averaging 91.8 μg/m³—nearly 18 times the WHO’s safe limit. Winter months, when calm winds and crop burning trap pollutants, push the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the “severe-plus” category, above 450. For residents like Ramesh Kumar, a 42-year-old taxi driver from Rohini, this is a daily struggle. “Driving through smog feels like inhaling poison,” he says, coughing as he navigates Delhi’s hazy streets. His chronic bronchitis, shared by countless others, underscores the urgency of innovative solutions like cloud seeding in Delhi.
Cloud seeding, a weather modification technique, involves dispersing silver iodide into moisture-laden clouds to trigger rainfall. In Delhi’s context, it’s a potential game-changer, designed to settle particulate matter and improve air quality during high-smog periods. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized its role as a contingency measure, complementing AI-based monitoring and 24/7 surveillance at pollution hotspots. The project, costing Rs 55 lakh per trial plus Rs 46 lakh for logistics like aircraft calibration, requires no-objection certificates (NOCs) from 13 agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and Directorate General of Civil Aviation. IIT Kanpur’s expertise, honed through successful 2018 trials in Kanpur, ensures scientific rigor, with post-trial evaluations to assess environmental impact.
The struggle for clean air in Delhi is deeply personal. Take Sunita Devi, a street vendor in Chandni Chowk, who sells vegetables amidst choking dust and vehicle fumes. Her two children, aged 8 and 12, suffer frequent asthma attacks, a common plight in a city where pollution cuts life expectancy by five years, per the 2024 World Air Quality Report. Sunita’s daily earnings barely cover medical bills, yet she holds hope for initiatives like cloud seeding. “If rain can clear the air, maybe my kids will breathe easier,” she says, her voice tinged with cautious optimism. Her story reflects the human toll of Delhi’s air crisis, driving the government’s push for bold experiments.
Skeptics, however, urge caution. Experts like Sunil Dahiya of Envirocatalysts argue that cloud seeding in Delhi is a temporary fix, not a cure for root causes like industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and construction dust. A 2023 Lahore trial saw AQI drop from 300 to 189, only to rebound within days. Delhi’s past attempts, under the Aam Aadmi Party in 2023, faltered due to unfavorable weather and delayed approvals. Yet, the Gupta government’s proactive stance—securing funds and partnering with IIT Kanpur—signals determination. Sirsa’s pledge, “Technology must lead our fight against toxic air,” resonates with a city desperate for relief.
The cloud seeding in Delhi project is part of a broader strategy, including green belts, stricter construction norms, and public transport upgrades. While it won’t eliminate pollution, it offers a lifeline during peak crises. As Delhi awaits its first trial, residents like Ramesh and Sunita pin their hopes on science to reclaim the skies. This historic decision, blending innovation with urgency, could redefine Delhi’s fight for breathable air, proving that even in a city shrouded in smog, change is possible.