Delhi government preparing for artificial rain: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has announced a winter action plan to tackle air pollution. A 21-point action plan will be implemented to tackle air pollution in the capital Delhi during winter. Gopal Rai said, “The states around Delhi and the central government need to work together to control air pollution. Air pollution has decreased by 34.6 percent between 2016 and 2023. Long-term plans like afforestation in Delhi have helped reduce air pollution.”
He further said that 2 crore trees were planted in the last 4 years, tree plantation helped. 7545 public transport buses are running on the roads of Delhi. EV policy is proving to be successful. Delhi has shut down its thermal power plants, but such plants are still running in NCR states.
Gopal Rai also said that the Delhi government is preparing for odd-even. This scheme will be implemented only as an emergency measure.
He said, “We have written a letter to the Union Environment Minister seeking permission for artificial rain during winters. We want to prepare for artificial rain between November 1 and November 15. When the pollution level is expected to peak after stubble burning after Diwali.” But the minister has not yet responded to the letter in this regard.
Real-time monitoring of pollution
Minister Gopal Rai said that real time monitoring of pollution hotspot areas will be done using drones. A special task force of 86 members including employees of the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transport, Delhi Municipal Corporation and Public Works Department will be formed to monitor pollution in the capital region.