New Delhi: As thick smog shrouded the entire national capital region and its neighbouring cities after the air quality continued to remain in the 'severe' category, IIT Kanpur, which has been working on cloud seeding technology, said it has its own aircraft for the purpose and is fitted with flares that are needed to form such artificial rains.
Manindra Aggarwal, Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur and leader of the project, stated that IIT Kanpur has its own aircraft which is currently fitted with flares for cloud seeding.
"And it was also approved by DGCA. Through this, we can do cloud seeding anywhere. As far as the Delhi government is concerned, we have received some phone calls from the Delhi government," Aggarwal said.
Further, asked whether cloud seeding was a permanent solution, he explained it is alike natural rains and helps in settling down suspended dust and particulate matters present in the environment. He suggested action should be instead taken on the actual sources of pollution.
"When it rains through cloud Seeding, the dust particles get washed away with the water, thereby making the environment free from pollution, but unless we take action on the sources of pollution, pollution will occur again. Therefore, control of pollution through cloud seeding is temporary which lasts for one week to two weeks," the professor said. (with ANI inputs)
