Delhi government seeks approval from centre for artificial rain in view deteriorating air quality

New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday wrote to the Central government, seeking an artificial rain in the national capital in an effort to combat the worsening air pollution.

In a letter written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav he requested him for an emergency meeting.

Addressing a press conference here, Gopal Rai said,” PM Modi should ask his Environment Minister to convene a meeting on artificial rain. Either give a solution or a clear path for artificial rains. If Central government cannot act, their minister should resign,” he asserted.

Gopal Rai said, “I am writing a letter to the Union Environment Bhupendra Yadav requesting him to call an emergency meeting. The Delhi government, experts from IIT-Kanpur, who have done research on artificial rain, and all concerned departments should be called in the meeting to immediately initiate steps for artificial rain”.

On measures taken by the Delhi government, Rai said, “We have banned BS-III petrol four wheelers and BS-IV diesel vehicles. All trucks and diesel buses coming from outside have been banned. Schools have been closed for classes 10 and 1 as well. Thirdly, timings have been staggered for offices.”

Calling the current situation a medical emergency, Rai emphasised the need for collective action. “This is a time of medical emergency, and we all need to work together to address the situation,” he said.

The Delhi Minister’s remarks come as the city remained the most polluted in the country today as the Air Quality Index spiked to an alarming 494 under the ‘severe plus’ category.

Despite the implementation of the strictest Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV restrictions in Delhi, several air monitoring stations touched the 500 mark.