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New Delhi, October 23 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said experts conducted tests in Burari area on Thursday to create artificial rain around October 29.
In the city’s first cloud seeding experiment to combat air pollution scientifically, CM Gupta said, “If conditions remain favourable, Delhi will receive its first artificial rain on October 29.”
He wrote on his
“This initiative is not only historic from a technical point of view but is also set to establish a scientific methodology to tackle pollution in Delhi,” he said.
The Chief Minister said, “The government aims to make the capital’s air clean and environment balanced through this innovation. Best wishes to our Cabinet colleague Shri @mssirsasiji and all the officers involved in making this effort a success.”
Earlier, Sirsa said the intensive winter enforcement drive has started giving measurable results as the AQI has dropped by 50 points in a day.
“There has been a significant improvement in Delhi’s AQI – today’s level of 305 is about 50 points better than yesterday’s 353. The city is responding with rapid, coordinated action,” Sirsa said after the review meeting.
He directed the departments to maintain this progress by paying special attention to identified pollution hotspots, while ensuring inter-agency coordination through Green War Rooms.
“Around 2,000 teams are in the field day and night. Delhi’s strategy is not limited to winters – it is a 24×7, year-round governance model that puts data, accountability and citizens at its core,” Sirsa said.
He said that while the current measures are showing results, the government is also preparing for the future.
“Our efforts are not limited to just the present – we are strengthening the future. Work will begin soon to bring in 70 more mechanized sanitation workers covering 1,440 km of roads, 70 additional anti-smog guns, water sprinklers and 140 rag pickers. We are encouraging innovation through the Delhi Clean Air Challenge, and will soon be partnering with IIT Kanpur and IMD on Cloud Seeding will be conducted,” Sirsa said.
Sharing details of Delhi government’s extensive enforcement deployment, Sirsa said 200 day teams and 178-night teams (970+ personnel) have been deployed to monitor dust and construction norms as part of dust and construction management.
Sites above 500 square meters are under strict surveillance. MCD, PWD, DDA, DSIIDC and CPWD are taking the lead with GPS-tracked sweepers and daily green war room reporting, a statement said.
Claiming significant success in controlling open burning, the minister said 230 day and 213 night patrols (total 443 teams) with over 1,200 personnel are active against garbage, leaf and biomass burning. He said contingents have been deployed by MCD, DDA, DSIIDC and the Revenue Department.
–IANS
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