New Delhi: Cloud seeding in Delhi is currently at a trial stage as part of a pilot project to explore emergency options for pollution mitigation during severe air-quality episodes, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
Minister of State for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said the Department of Environment, Government of the NCT of Delhi, was implementing the pilot in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. The Cabinet approved the project in May 2025. So far, the Delhi government has released ₹37.93 lakh as the first instalment to IIT Kanpur.
The minister said the pilot aimed to demonstrate and evaluate cloud seeding as an additional emergency measure. Authorities would consider its use only during episodic high-pollution events and when suitable cloud cover was available. He clarified that the Ministry of Earth Sciences was not involved in ongoing cloud seeding operations in different parts of the country.
Dr. Singh said the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology earlier conducted a research study on rain enhancement between 2017 and 2019. The study formed part of the CAIPEEX programme and focused on rain-shadow regions of India. However, he said this research was separate from the Delhi pilot project.
Cloud seeding in Delhi assessed alongside AIRWISE pollution framework
The minister said air-quality management in the National Capital Region was being strengthened through the AIRWISE framework. IITM Pune developed the system with the India Meteorological Department to support science-based pollution control.
He said authorities were working to improve short-term air-quality forecasts, especially for PM2.5 levels. These efforts aimed to support timely action under the Graded Response Action Plan during pollution spikes. Improved forecasts would help issue early warnings and enable targeted interventions.
Dr. Singh said IITM also carried out near-real-time source apportionment of PM2.5 in Delhi during the post-monsoon and winter of 2025–26. The analysis used chemical characterisation of samples collected in New Delhi. He added that model-based source apportionment under AIRWISE was being refined using measurement data.
The minister said agencies were also developing a dynamic emissions inventory for the entire NCR at a 500-metre grid resolution. The Central Pollution Control Board funded the project with support from the Commission for Air Quality Management. IITM is working on the project along with ARAI, TERI and IIT Delhi.
