Overview
- Artificial Rain Plan: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announces proactive measures for cloud seeding once IMD clears conditions, to combat rising pollution.
- EV Push: Government targets 10,000 electric buses by 2027, with public/semi-public charging stations rolling out to cut emissions.
- AQI Crisis: Delhi’s air quality dips to ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 351 at 4 PM), shrouded in thick smog post-Diwali.
- Green Firecrackers Win: Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa notes only 11-point AQI rise (345 to 356) with permitted green crackers vs. 32-point jump (328 to 360) during 2024 ban.
- Historical Comparison: 2020 (21-point rise), 2021 (80-point rise) show green crackers’ edge; Sirsa stresses seeding needs clouds first.
- Broader Strategy: Aligns with PM E-Drive’s ₹10,000 crore for 72,000 chargers, aiming 30% EV penetration by 2030 amid 6% current adoption.
- Urgency: Winter smog looms; measures build on FAME-III incentives for sustainable mobility.
Delhi Air Pollution: CM Rekha Gupta Bets on Artificial Rain and 10,000 EVs to Clear the Smog
New Delhi, October 21, 2025 – Delhi’s skies turned a hazy gray as the Air Quality Index (AQI) plunged to 351 (‘Very Poor’ category) by 4 PM Tuesday, prompting Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to double down on anti-pollution tactics. “We’re working proactively on artificial rain to control pollution,” Gupta stated in a CMO release, awaiting IMD clearance for cloud seeding based on suitable moisture and cloud conditions. Amid the smog, the government is accelerating electric vehicle adoption, targeting 10,000 e-buses by 2027 and installing charging stations citywide to slash emissions and foster a cleaner capital.
Artificial Rain: A High-Tech Hope
Gupta’s announcement underscores urgency as post-Diwali haze thickens. Cloud seeding—dispersing particles to induce precipitation—could wash away pollutants, a tactic piloted in Delhi winters. “The plan will activate once IMD gives clearance,” she affirmed, aligning with global efforts like UAE’s rain enhancement program. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reinforced this, quipping, “Clouds come first, then seeding—when they arrive, we’ll make it rain.”
EV Fleet: 10,000 Buses by 2027
To combat long-term emissions, Gupta highlighted EV promotion: “We’re installing public and semi-public charging stations to support 10,000 electric buses by 2027.” This ties into PM E-Drive‘s ₹10,000 crore for 72,000 chargers nationwide, boosting India’s 6% EV penetration toward 30% by 2030. With 1.2 million EVs sold last year and 2.5 million projected for 2025, Delhi’s push could cut transport emissions by 20%, a major smog contributor.
Green Firecrackers: A Modest Victory
Sirsa defended relaxed Diwali rules, citing data: AQI rose just 11 points (345 to 356) with green crackers, vs. 32 points (328 to 360) under 2024’s full ban. Comparisons: 2020 (21-point rise amid fireworks), 2021 (80 points). “Green crackers work—Supreme Court-approved, they minimize harm,” he said, countering critics amid the current 351 AQI reading from CPCB.
Winter Looms: A Multifaceted Fight
Delhi’s annual smog battle intensifies as cold traps pollutants, with stubble burning and traffic adding fuel. Gupta’s dual strategy—immediate rain tech and long-term EV shift—builds on FAME-III incentives, aiming to make the capital breathable. “This is about healthier lives,” she emphasized.
As IMD monitors clouds, Delhiites eye relief. With EVs charging up and rain on the horizon, the fight against fog is far from foggy—it’s a clear call for change.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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