Ready for cloud seeding, need permissions: Delhi Environment Minister as NCR gears up for winter pollution
Gopal Rai, Delhi Environment Minister and AAP leader, released a statement on Sunday regarding the possibility of cloud seeding (artificial rain) and the construction of smog towers in Delhi.
Gopal Rai refuted the allegations by BJP leaders that the Delhi government was wasting money by not constructing smog towers. «Yesterday, BJP leaders said that money was wasted. They do not know that on the orders of the court, the Delhi government built a smog tower in Connaught Place and the centre built in Anand Vihar. In such a situation, how did the Delhi government waste money?», said the Delhi Environment minister.
Rai criticised the condition of the smog tower built by the Union government in Anand Vihar, he added, «Also, find out what the condition of the smog tower built by the Centre is, and why are you hiding the smog tower of Anand Vihar. We are always ready to give all kinds of support to the Centre.»
On August 30, the minister had requested Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to convene an urgent meeting with stakeholders about cloud seeding for combating Delhi's winter air pollution and secure necessary permissions.
«BJP leaders said yesterday that artificial rain has not been done anywhere till now. I want to tell them that we are not talking about this for the first time in Delhi. In 2008, when the Olympics were going to be held in China, China had artificial rain. When there was a forest fire, Malaysia had artificial rain. Last year, artificial rain was done in Lahore.» Rai said in a statement
