Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], July 24 (ANI): Rajasthan Minister Kirodi Lal Meena announced on Thursday that artificial rain will be generated via drone-assisted cloud seeding for the first time at Jaipur’s Ramgarh Dam. He noted that American scientists had visited the state in connection with the initiative.
He further explained that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required from the Ministry of Civil Aviation to proceed with the project.
Speaking to ANI, Meena said, “For the first time, artificial rain will be generated using drones. American scientists came here, and all government departments related to the environment have held discussions to finalize the plan. All government departments have issued their NOCs, and now only the NOC from the Civil Aviation Ministry is pending. The drones will ascend to a high altitude, and cloud seeding will be conducted over Ramgarh Dam.”
Meanwhile, in a separate initiative to combat rising air pollution, Delhi’s Environment Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa announced a trial run of artificial rain through cloud seeding, scheduled between late August and early September. The Delhi government has planned five trial tests aimed at assessing the effectiveness of artificial rain in reducing smog, particularly during Diwali and the month of September.
The trials will be conducted in the outer areas of the national capital. The cost of one instance of artificial rain is estimated at ₹66 lakhs, with operational costs at ₹55 lakhs. The total budget for the entire plan could reach ₹2.55 crores.
The Delhi government’s objective is to reduce pollution levels as part of its broader vision for a “Viksit Delhi” (Developed Delhi). Pollution remains a critical issue in the capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently reaching hazardous levels. While various initiatives have been launched in the past to tackle the problem, none have yielded a lasting solution.
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