Anti-Smog Guns, Artificial Rain: CM Rekha Gupta Unveils Vision To Make Delhi Pollution-Free

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Last Updated:June 03, 2025, 19:14 IST

Delhi Air Pollution: CM Rekha Gupta unveils anti-pollution plan, including artificial rain, anti-smog guns, BS6 vehicle rules, and mass tree plantation drive.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. (PTI file photo)

Delhi Air Pollution : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at making the national capital pollution-free, a key poll plank of the BJP in the last assembly election that ended its 28-year drought in the city.

From artificial rain to anti-smog guns, the multi-pronged strategy includes scientific innovations, legislative enforcement, and large-scale public participation to keep pollution in check ahead of the winter season when the capital becomes a “gas chamber".

Addressing a press briefing, Gupta announced that Delhi will soon witness its first artificial rain through cloud seeding, a pilot project approved in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. “To reduce and eliminate pollution, we will sign MoUs with all our science organisations, which will use their latest innovations and help the Delhi government in its fight against pollution," she said.

The initiative with IIT Kanpur is expected to test the viability of cloud seeding as a method to clean Delhi’s toxic air.

Artificial rain may air quality slightly for some hours or a day or two depending on meteorological factors but experts do not view artificial rain as a sustainable solution to pollution problems.

Gupta also said that the government will launch a major plantation drive titled “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" on June 5 on the occasion of World Environment Day.

“The goal is to plant 70 lakh saplings across the city this year. Our aim is that Delhi should get better air. Delhi air should be good, people should prefer to stay in Delhi instead of going out," the CM said, highlighting the need for large-scale afforestation to combat urban pollution.

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In a significant regulatory push, the Delhi government will make anti-smog guns mandatory on all high-rise commercial buildings—including malls and hotels—above 3000 square metres. “This will help in significant dust mitigation throughout Delhi," Gupta added.

To curb vehicular emissions, the CM announced that from November 1, 2025, only BS6-compliant, CNG, or electric commercial vehicles will be allowed to enter the city. In support of this policy, the government will deploy Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all entry points and petrol pumps across Delhi. These AI-enabled cameras will identify end-of-life vehicles and prevent them from operating in the capital.

“These steps are not just announcements; they are actionable, time-bound interventions," Gupta said, stressing the urgency of addressing air pollution through a combination of science, surveillance, and community involvement.

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Delhi Air Pollution

Air pollution continues to trouble Delhi residents year-round, except during the monsoon. In winter, AQI often hits hazardous levels due to stubble burning in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, and lower temperatures.

While recent days have seen a slight decline in “very poor" and “hazardous" air quality days, the issue remains far from resolved.

(With inputs from ANI)

Saurabh Verma

Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

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