Delhi prepares for artificial rain in November, pollution expected to peak: Minister

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday that the capital region is preparing for artificial rain between November 1 to November 15, when pollution is expected to peak.
The minister released a 21-point action plan to combat air pollution during winter in Delhi on Wednesday.
“We have written a letter to the Union Environment Minister asking permission to implement artificial rain during winter. We want to prepare for artificial rains between November 1 to November 15, when the pollution levels are expected to peak due to the aftermath of Diwali celebrations and stubble burning,” he said, adding that the minister has yet to respond to the letter.
Rai said that the capital region saw a reduction of 34.6 per cent of air pollution between 2016 and 2023.
He said that two crore trees have been planted in Delhi in the past four years, which helped in reducing air pollution.
The Minister said that real-time monitoring of pollution hotspot regions will be conducted by drones.
A Special Task Force, consisting of 86 members, including personnel from the environment ministry, transport ministry, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Public Works Department, will be formed to monitor pollution in the capital region.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.